The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order of Benue, Fidelis Mnyim, has said the car gifts to the judiciary by Gov Hyacinth Alia, is a symbol of support and commitment.

Mnyim, who addressed newsmen on Wednesday, in Makurdi, said the gesture was a fulfilment of Alias’ promise when he assumed office.

The Commissioner was reacting to a query by Prof.

Ojukwu had wondered why Alia would procure vehicles for the state’s judiciary when the funds allocated to it could be utilised for that purpose.

Mnyim, however, said the procurement of vehicles for the judiciary constituted an additional benevolent gesture by the governor.

He said the gesture was particularly significant in light of the fact that Alia had already granted full financial autonomy over both recurrent and capital expenditure to the judiciary in Feb.

He said this was a proof of Alias’ goodwill since the judiciary was now receiving its complete share of funds accruing from FAAC and IGR, proportionate to the percentage of the budget for the month.

The Commissioner emphasised that the judiciary had the financial wherewithal to procure vehicles of its choice, noting that the allocated funds were being released to members of the third arm of government at the end of each month.

“This gesture is designed to inspire members of the judiciary to strive for excellence in their service delivery.

“For the records, Gov Alia’s benevolence extends beyond the judiciary, as his administration has implemented various initiatives aimed at enhancing staff welfare and effective service delivery across all sectors.

“The Governor’s commitment to the welfare of the judiciary and the entire citizenry of Benue State is evident in his unwavering dedication to fostering an environment conducive fir justice, equity, and progress,” Mnyim said.(NAN)

A Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Colleges of Education, 2003 and to establish the Federal College of Education, Special in Dukku Gombe State has scaled first reading in the House of Representatives.

The Bill was sponsored by Rep. Abdullahi El-rasheed (APC-Gombe) and read during the plenary in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said that the establishment of the school in Dukku Federal Constituency would help to actualise the aspirations of youths especially the physically challeged in the area.

He added that the establishment of the school would make it the second of its kind in the country.

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas put it to vote and was unanimously adopted by the House and passed for first reading.

The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Environment, Petroleum Resources Upstream, Petroleum Resources Downstream and Climate Change has queried oil producing companies operating in the country over the environmental degradation.

Rep. Pondi Gbabojor, the Chairman of the joint Committee, said this Abuja on Wednesday at the public hearing on Environmental Damage within the oil-producing communities.

He said that the oil-producing communities had experienced environmental degradation and socio-economic marginalisation following decades of oil exploration and exploitation.

“The abundant natural resources should have been a source of prosperity and development; rather, the host communities have suffered pollution and land degradation.

He said that in spite of laws and regulations enacted to safeguard the environment and the established regulatory agencies, the environmental damages in oil-producing communities had persisted.

He said the committees would identify erring organisations and hold those responsible accountable.

“Our environment is not just the backdrop of human action but the very essence of life and our sustenance,” he said.

Reports says that 40 companies were invited to the hearing, but only 35 honored the invitation, including the Ministry of Environment, Dubi Oil Company, Nigerian Agip Oil Limited

Others were Starling Oil Exploration, Mobil Producing Nigeria Ltd. Resources Exploration and Production Ltd, First Exploration and Petroleum Development . Company among others.

The oil companies however requested that the committees visited all the affected states that had experienced environmental degradation, especially the Ogoni Land.(NAN)