I don’t want to be remembered for my many fights — Obaseki

By Oluwakemi Jonah, Lokoja

 

Kogi State House of Assembly has passed into law, the bill for amendment of the retirement age of parliamentary staff from 60 to 65 years.

The lawmakers took the decision at plenary, after examining the bill clause by clause it scaled through  second and third reading then passed the same day.

In line with the amendments, henceforth the years of service of parliamentary staff has increased from 35 to 40 years or from 60 to 65 years of age of entry into the service regardless of the state civil service law.

As indicated in section 3 of the amendment law, the secretary of the commission shall be a substantive director not lower than Grade Level 16 officer upon appointment and shall be accorded benefits and status of a permanent secretary.

In addition, the new law will permit the Chairman and members of the commission to hold office for a straight term of five years and could be reappointed for another five years depending on the approval of the House.

The majority leader, Suleiman Abdulrasaq reiterated that the bill was all out to improve the performance of young staff, giving them room to make positive impacts in the commission.

Furthermore, bill for a law to establish the kogi State meat hygiene and inspection and other matters connected was also passed into law.

The majority leader, Suleiman Abdulrasaq who led the debate explaining how the law will increase the state’s IGR declared that  “the mode for transporting animals and meat for public consumption, fees charged for general offences and penalties are of immense importance to the State. The bills will improve the lives of the people and the economy of our dear state as enumerated above”.

The Legislators all agreed that  the sound health of indigenes who consume meat should be prioritised and government approved abattoirs be constructed around the state through which more revenue would be generated for the development of Kogi State.