Niger Assembly Reconvenes

Members of the Niger State House of Assembly yesterday reconvened under the leadership of the new Speaker, Mr. Isah Kawu.

The lawmakers had planned to hold their plenary at the legislative quarters following the continued police occupation of the complex.

As early as 10a.m., members drove into the legislative quarters to the waiting hands of their staff, the Sargeant-at-Arm and the deputy clerk in a make shift tent arranged in a typical assembly plenary setting.

By 12.05p.m., the Speaker directed legislative staff to relocate to the assembly complex following a truce reached between the Speaker and the Commissioner of Police, which led to the withdrawal of armed policemen from the complex after eight days of occupation.

At about 1.35pm, the assembly commenced sitting after waiting for more than 45 minutes for other members to join them in order to have a quorum required for sitting.

As the plenary commenced, the Speaker informed the House of two letters from Governor Babangida Aliyu in respect of two bills proposed by the executive.

They are bills for the establishment of Niger State Council of Arts and Culture and for the establishment of Niger State Investment Promotion Agency. Kawu also informed the House of an invitation by the governor to members to the inauguration of Shiroro bridge, built on River Kaduna.

The Speaker urged members to rally round the governor on the occasion.

A motion for debate on the second reading of a bill for a law to provide for the retirement benefits for Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries and for connected purposes was moved by the Majority Leader, Mr. Yusuf Kure, and supported by Chief Whip, Mr. Sadatu Kolo.