The Niger State House of Assembly has considered a number of legislative and oversight matters covering education, urban develop...
The Niger State House of Assembly has considered a number of legislative and oversight matters covering education, urban development, rural roads and public safety across the state.
The matters, according to a statement issued by the Assembly, included a Private Member’s Bill seeking to establish the Niger State Education Trust Fund and Skills Acquisition Fund, oversight reports on UBEC/NSUBEB intervention projects and the Niger State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (NS-RAAMP), as well as the Niger State Urban Development Board Bill, 2026.
The House also considered a Matter of Urgent Public Importance on the need for an immediate pedestrian bridge at Gauraka Junction along the Abuja–Kaduna Expressway.
Assembly Considers Education Trust Fund Bill
The Assembly presented for First Reading a Private Member’s Bill seeking to establish the Niger State Education Trust Fund and Skills Acquisition Fund.
The Bill was sponsored by Hon. Muhammad Sani Idris ES, representing Tafa Constituency.
According to the Assembly, the proposed legislation seeks to provide for the assessment, collection, management and disbursement of funds for the development, rehabilitation and improvement of education and skills acquisition in Niger State.
The Bill also seeks to provide for other matters connected with the objectives of the proposed Fund.
House Reviews UBEC/NSUBEB Intervention Projects
The Assembly also considered the report of its House Committee on Education following an oversight visit to UBEC/NSUBEB intervention projects in Lambata, Lapai and Minna.
Presenting the report, Hon. Muhammad Sani Idris ES said the exercise was undertaken to assess the physical progress of the projects, determine their completion levels, inspect the quality of materials and workmanship, ascertain compliance with approved specifications and identify challenges affecting timely completion.
He said the inspection covered mega schools, classroom blocks and other educational infrastructure across the locations visited.
According to the report, contractors stated that the inspected projects had reached between 70 and 75 per cent completion, with major structural works substantially completed while finishing works were still ongoing.
The Assembly said the oversight exercise was intended to ensure that the intervention projects were delivered in accordance with approved standards and specifications and that residents of the state derived maximum benefit from investments in the education sector.
Niger Assembly Considers Urban Development Board Bill
The House also received the report of the Committee on Housing and Urban Renewal, Rural Development, Land and Survey on the Niger State Urban Development Board Bill, 2026.
Presenting the report, the committee chairman and member representing Bida II Constituency, Hon. Engr. Mohammed Alhaji Haruna, said the Bill seeks to repeal the Niger State Urban and Regional Planning Development Edict, 1998, and re-enact the Niger State Urban Development Board Law.
Haruna explained that the proposed legislation was designed to provide an appropriate legal and institutional framework for effective urban development and planning in the state.
Following consideration of the report, the House referred the Bill to the Committee of the Whole for further legislative consideration.
NS-RAAMP Road Project Records 40% Completion
The House further considered the oversight report on the ongoing Niger State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (NS-RAAMP) in Kuta.
Presenting the report, Haruna said the 32-kilometre Maitumbi–Shiroro road project traverses parts of Shiroro and Bosso Local Government Areas and connects approximately 40 communities.
He told the House that the project had reached approximately 40 per cent completion, attributing the slow pace of work to funding challenges.
According to the report, the project has a total contract value of N12,396,431,603.34, while N7,264,308,819.00 has so far been released.
The committee also identified areas requiring corrections and improvements and directed the contractor to address deficiencies observed during its oversight inspection.
Assembly Seeks Pedestrian Bridge at Gauraka Junction
The House also considered a Matter of Urgent Public Importance moved by Hon. Muhammad Sani Idris ES on the need for the urgent construction of a pedestrian bridge at Gauraka Junction along the Abuja–Kaduna Expressway.
Idris said the busy junction is used daily by thousands of residents, commuters, schoolchildren, traders and other pedestrians, many of whom are forced to cross the expressway without adequate protection.
He expressed concern over the risks faced by pedestrians and the possibility of avoidable accidents, injuries and fatalities, particularly involving schoolchildren, women, elderly persons, persons living with disabilities, workers and traders who regularly use the route.
Following consideration of the matter, the Assembly urged the Niger State Ministry of Works to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies to facilitate the urgent construction of a standard pedestrian bridge at the junction.
The House also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps and other relevant authorities to strengthen traffic control, road safety measures and public enlightenment at the location pending the construction of the bridge.
The relevant committees of the Assembly were further mandated to engage with the appropriate authorities and monitor progress towards the realisation of the project.
The Speaker, according to the statement, reaffirmed the commitment of the Niger State House of Assembly to effective legislative oversight, quality infrastructure delivery, educational development, public safety and legislative interventions aimed at promoting the development and wellbeing of residents.
The Assembly thereafter adjourned its legislative sitting until Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
.jpeg)
No comments