A bill to amend and reposition the Benue Planning Commission has passed second reading at the state house of assembly.

The House Majority Leader, Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West), said during the assembly plenary on Thursday in Makurdi that the bill sought to amend the existing law enacted in 2001 and previously reviewed in 2005 by the fourth assembly.

According to the majority leader, the proposed amendment aims to reorder the structure, composition, and operational focus of the Benue State Budget and Planning Commission to reposition it for optimal performance.

He noted that the commission played a critical role in the state’s development architecture, including the formulation, coordination, and monitoring of development plans, policies, and priorities.

Mr Dugeri stated that the agency was also responsible for providing expert advisory services to the governor, setting development goals, conducting economic research, and coordinating public-private-partnership functions comparable to those of the National Planning Commission at the federal level.

“With these enormous responsibilities, the proposed amendment becomes imperative in order to equip the commission to serve the state better,” Mr Dugeri said.

Abu Umoru (PDP/Apa) seconded that the proposed amendment be read the second time.

The Speaker, Alfred Emberga, called on the Clerk, Bem Mela, to read the bill the second time.

Mr Emberga subsequently referred the bill to the House Standing Committee on Appropriation for thorough scrutiny and preparation ahead of its third reading and possible passage. 

(NAN)