Nasarawa Assembly Advances Local Content Agency Bill

 

By Atlantic Reports

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has passed a bill to establish a Local Content Development Agency through second reading, advancing a proposal intended to support locally made products, indigenous skills and employment.

Speaker Dr Danladi Jatau announced the decision during proceedings in Lafia on Monday and referred the bill to the House Committee on Capital Market, Commerce and Industry.

The committee is expected to report back on October 26. The bill has not yet become law, and the proposed agency has not been established through this legislative process.

Supporting local production

The bill’s sponsor, Deputy Speaker Muhammad Oyanki, said the agency would provide an institutional framework for promoting manufacturing, craftsmanship and enterprise in the state.

“This bill will provide a formal institutional framework to advance initiatives like the Made-in-Nasarawa project, promoting local manufacturing, craftsmanship and enterprise, among others,” he said.

Oyanki argued that the proposal would help Nasarawa products reach wider markets and create employment opportunities.

Lawmakers Suleiman Azara, Hajarat Danyaro, Solomon Akwashiki, Mohammed Isimbabi and Larry Ven-Bawa also supported the bill, saying it could strengthen the state’s revenue base, improve incomes and develop indigenous skills.

The House unanimously approved its progression to second reading.

Those benefits remain the lawmakers’ expectations. The account of the proceedings did not specify the proposed agency’s funding, staffing, eligibility criteria for business support or measures for assessing its performance.

For local producers, the practical significance will depend on the services the agency is authorised and funded to deliver, and how accessible those services are to small enterprises and craftspeople.

Jatau reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to legislation intended to improve residents’ lives.

Peace-building bill report received

In a separate development, the House received a committee report on a bill to establish the Nasarawa State Peace Building Agency.

Jatau scheduled deliberation on the report for October 20.

Presenting it, Luka Zhekaba, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Complaints, Petitions and Security, said the bill had undergone a public hearing at which stakeholders contributed proposals.

He said the proposed agency would help address security challenges and promote peace and unity across the state.

The peace-building bill also remains under legislative consideration. The forthcoming deliberations will determine its next stage, while the local content proposal awaits the commerce and industry committee’s report.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.