Kogi Assembly Holds Public Hearing On Bill To Restrict Daytime Movement Of Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Bashir Opaluwa Idris
The Kogi State House of Assembly through its joint committee on Special Duties, Legislative Compliance, Government House Administration, Governor’s Office, and Judiciary has convened a public hearing Bill for Heavy Duty Trucks Restriction of Movement Bill, 2025.
Declaring the event open, Chairman of the Joint Committee and Member representing Idah State Constituency, Hon. Halidu Usman Kogi, said the bill when passed into law, aims to restrict the movement of heavy-duty trucks within Lokoja metropolis during peak hours to protect lives and ease traffic congestion.
“Today is unique, unique in the sense that it is at this stage that the Bill enters into theatre for surgery and it is at this stage that any stakeholder who have interest in any law that comes to existence will have the opportunity to make an input”.
Hon. Halidu while affirming the House commitment to thoroughly review all submissions, including both soft and hard copies of position papers on the Bills provided by participants, emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent accidents and ensure a safe environment for citizens.
“Please be open to make your contributions to the bill, come up with observation, criticism and other inputs that will strengthen the law, I want to believe that with the memorandum you have submitted and the oral speech you’re going to make here will go a long way to inform the honorable members to take an informed decision so that quality laws will be made for the good governance of our dear State”.
The lawmaker expressed gratitude to all participants for their presence at the crucial public hearing.
The lawmakers and stakeholders also deliberated on Kogi State Local Government Electoral Bill (Repeal and Enactment) 2025.
In his contributions, the Chairman, Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), Hon. Mamman Nda Eri said the Bill when passed into law, will establish a clear legal timeline for local government elections, in accordance with comstitutional provisons.
Hon. Nda-Eri who is also the Chairman, Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON), noted that the bill will also strengthen provisions for voter education, candidate nomination, political party participation and dispute resolution.
“It will also define 360-day minimum notice for Local elections before the expiration of tenure of elected local officials, in line with constitutional interpretation and the need for proper planning”.
He appealed to the Assembly to give the bill the urgent legislative attention it deserves, conduct stakeholder engagements to ensure participatory law making and as well empower KOSIEC to conduct credible, free and fair local elections.
The KOSIEC Chairman appreciated Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for given him and the commission free hand in conducting local government elections that justifies the quality they found in him to be considered the position.
Recall that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration as part of its initiative to address road safety and traffic management in Kogi State proposed the Bill after a tragic accident near the Federal University, Lokoja, which resulted in loss of lives.