The new speaker of Plateau state House of Assembly  , Hon Joshua Madaki,says he would  lift the image of the Assembly  to a level where their  deliberations and oversight functions would not be relegated for any reason beyond the control of the state lawmakers under the present dispensation  on the Plateau.

Madaki in an interview with newsmen at Plateau House of Assembly complex, said for him to succeed in his new leadership role, he was soliciting for the cooperation and understanding of his fellow state legislators of the 8th Assembly because of the import  of  their allegiance  to move the House of Assembly to a greater height.

He added that the Assembly will be public-friendly  where the issues coming before the assembly that desire the members of the public to be carried by way of public hearing will be given priority.

On grazing or ranching on the Plateau which has become a subject of hot debate on the Plateau, Madaki said that when a public hearing is conveyed in the state capital in order to address such critical legislation, “It is not going to solve the problems. So, we will demand time to go to our various constituencies. Let us hear their inputs and examine whether such policies are welcome for us to legislate. And I think the cardinal essence of legislation is for you to make the laws that will be acceptable by all and sundry within the state.”

On whether the executive is in tune with his emergence as speaker by way of public congratulation, Madaki said that he had not heard officially in the media any congratulations from the executive arm.

“But I know that His Excellency on the very day I emerged as the speaker, we sought for his audience and Governor Simon Lalong welcomed us in his office together with my colleagues. The same thing, we called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairman and we were welcomed at the party secretariat and they also gave us their words that it had happened, so there is no need for us to revisit whatever had led to that exercise happening.

“And so far, I think I have had a meeting with the governor almost three times and I have had a meeting with the state party chairman twice and I feel we are working together since they have recognized my position by inviting me into meetings and with that I have the conviction that they don’t have any contrary opinion in their minds,” Madaki contended.

He revealed that the House is trying to package relief materials to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps. “But fortunately, we have heard that the executive constituted a committee that would look into the issues of resettlement of the IDPs and ours is to support that committee to ensure that all the needful is done. Aside the rehabilitation, their security is what we want to be guaranteed is going to be assured first and foremost before any other thing which may come thereafter.”

He said that with the committee on ground, the House will ensure that it follows its activities to make sure the displaced persons are being resettled immediately.

On the autonomy of the legislatures, Madaki said that legislative freedom is one of the greatest things that have happened to legislature in the country.

According to him:“It is a welcome development because without the autonomy of the legislature, that is why the people out there calling the assembly as rubber stamp of the government. How can an independent arm of government like the legislature that constitutionally is the senior arm of all other arms of government be a rubber stamp? Other arms of government cannot function without the presence of the legislature. There must be bound to be some lacuna in their functions. I want to assure you that  this autonomy is the best thing that has ever happened because the house is going to be more independent, not only financially but administratively. I think the governor should accept this thing because it is for their own good?

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How I’ll Steer Leadership Of Plateau Assembly – Speaker