Welcome Address by the Speaker, Taraba state House of Assembly, Rt.Hon DCN Peter Abel Diah at the
Resumption of Plenary after recess ,House of Assembly Complex Jalingo 03/10/2017.
The Deputy Speaker
Principal Officers,
Honourable Members ,
Gentlemen of the Press, ladies and Gentlemen
it is my singular honour and privilege to welcome you be from what I believe was a well-Spend Recess.
The business of law-making the world over is a tedious one and usually requires rest Period to enable legislators return to the drawing board to re-strategize for the task ahead of them. I want to believe that the period of Recess was well spent. Honourable Members, while we were on recess Nigeria Marked her 57th Independence Anniversary. I belong to The school of thought that history and social studies should remain in our curriculum to help our younger generation know how far we have come to form this nation called Nigeria Our founding fathers such as Chief Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Tafawa-Balewa, etc though from different tribes and historical backgrounds were united to bring this nation to where it is today.
May I further state here that the world over no union is Without its Challenges how ever those challenges have often been Surmounted by the Citizens who stay united it is expedient that those agitating for structural changes should do it according to the law.
Our resumption today marks the beginning of the Second quarter of the Third legislative Year of the 8th Assembly. Being Democracy guided by the wishes of the people, constitution amendment should be expected to arise from time to time in the life of a nation as we endeavour to find the best options for Strengthening faith in our coexistence as a nation.
This Quarter is particularly significant because, as you are aware the remaining aspect of the 4th attempt to alter the provision of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is Expected to be brought before the State Houses of Assembly for adaption in the Quarter. The importance of this exercise cannot be over Emphasis in View of the fact that some topical issues important to the sustenance of our democracy will be brought for Adoption before this honourable House. Hon. Members will need to Consult respective constituencies to distill their opinions on the items slated for amendment so that our decisions can reflect the wishes and Desires of the good people of Taraba State. The Legislature, it is often said it is the mirror of the people.
I am confident that my Colleagues and I are sufficiently inform to do justice to the issues that may be brought for our Consideration. Let me at this juncture reiterate the commitment of this honourable House to vote in line with the collective aspirations and desires of the Good people of Taraba State whom we represent
I must commend you all honorable colleagues to our sterling Contribution to the success of the Last session and I urge You to sustain the Positive vibrancy with which you have so far handle legislative responsibilities incumbent on us in this Eighth Assembly. While appreciating the teamwork we have collectively enjoyed as a House since the beginning of this 8th Assembly may I assure you that we shall continue to work hard to ensure that the well being of every
Honourable Member is taken care of.
I also wish to commend my honourable colleagues in the various developmental effort you have so far made in your respective constituencies at your own expenses despite the fact the legislators in Taraba State have not yet begun to enjoy constituency project allowance since the return to constitutional democracy in 1999. May God reward your patriotism.
May I remind us of our all-important duty regarding the oversight of the various MDAs. This is important to ensure effectiveness of the various interventions of Government in line with the 2017 budget of the State.
We are happy to note that the unrelenting commitment of his Excellency the Governor of Taraba State, Arch Darius Dickson Ishiaku
has afforded prompt resolution of Conflict and peace has returned
in Sardauna, Takum and Ussa local Govemment Areas Which Sufferd communal Crises in the most recent times.
At the national level unending agitations for restructuring and even outright secession have characterized our recent and Current political landscape. It is the responsibility of the legislatures In is nation to correctly measure the pulse of the nation as they alter the Constitution.
I wish to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for taking steps to ensure that Nigeria remains one and indivisible country .While it is lawful for any person or group of persons to peacefully Express their views on national Issues including matters of self a determination, it is important to re-emphasize that such views should be articulated through appropriate channels and in a way and manner that does not endanger the peace and unity of this nation. We can pursue our quests within the ambit of the law. I therefore sue for Peace and unity throughout our State in particurlar and the nation at Large.
President Yemi OSinbajo recentlty stated we are better and greater together than apart .
I wish to thank the Executive and the Judicial Arms for the robust cooperation this Great Assembly has received from them and I do hope that this cordial relationship will be sustained for the Advancement of our dear State and the betterment of our people.
I also wish to commend the Clerk of the House and his team of technocrats for their diligence and commitment to their duties which have in no small Measure Contributed to the Success Recorded by this Assembly. Nevertheless Our Technocrats need to brace Up for the Onerous task Ahead of Us in this Quarter.
Equally among those who need to be appreciated are the Security and Media Personel and all others who Contributed in one way or the other to the Success of the Operation of this house of Assembly .
Once again Thank You God bless.
