A bill to enact a law for the establishment of Zamfara Anti-thuggery Agency on Tuesday passed first and second readings at the state house of assembly.

 

This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau by the Director General, Press Affairs and Public Relations to the house, Malam Nasiru Biyabiki.

 

 Recall that Gov. Bello Matawalle recently established an Anti-thuggery Standing Committee under Executive Order No ll with retired Military Officer, Bello Bakyasuwa, as Chairman.

 

The Committee was set up to fight against political thuggery activities, drug abuse and other related criminal offences across the state.

 

Biyabiki said the executive bill, titled “Zamfara Anti-Thuggery Agency Bill 2023”, scaled first and second readings during the assembly’s plenary after its presentation by the Leader of the house, Alhaji Faruku Dosara.

 

“Dosara called on the lawmakers to agree with the bill so as to pass its first and second readings.

 

“After deliberations on the bill, members of the house unanimously agree with the motion on the bill.

 

“The Speaker, Alhaji Nasiru Mu’azu Magarya, directed the Clerk of the house, Alhaji Sa’idu Anka, to give the bill its the first and second readings,” Biyabiki added.

 

Biyabiki quoted the Speaker as referring the bill to the House Committees on Justice and Security for scrutiny and directed it to bring back the report after two weeks.

 

“Magarya noted that if established, the Agency will play an important role in complementing security agencies in their efforts in curtailing security challenges facing the state.

 

“He called on the committee members to work hard and accomplish the assigned responsibilities within the stipulated period,” Biyabiki explained.

 

In another development during plenary, the assembly screened three Governor’s nominees received from the office of the Secretary to the State Government to serve as Special Advisers to Gov. Matawalle.

 

“The house leader, Dosara, called on the lawmakers to accept the nominees, for them to be screened and confirmed by the house.

 

“The nominees were Malan Sahabi Ahmad-Mada, Nura Makwashe and Malan Shehu Garba.

 

“The Speaker called on the nominees to work hard and justify the confidence reposed on them by the government and people of the state,” he added.

 

Earlier, the house, during the sitting received a report on the Area Development Council (ADC) Amendment Bill, 2023, from its Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs.

 

After deliberations by the lawmakers, the House unanimously agreed that the bill/report be given its third reading and passed for the governor’s assent.