The Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga, has disclosed that the Assembly passed a toral of 25 bills in the last two years.
According to him, 22 of the bills have been assented to by Governor Ahmad Aliyu while three are awaiting transmission to the governor for assent.
Bodinga said one of the outstanding bills is the “Mandatory and Compulsory Premarital Medical Screening” bill, which aimed to reduce the risk of genetic disorders and infectious diseases among couples.
The speaker noted that the Assembly has achieved a major legislative priority for the current session and is satisfied with its performance.
He said the Assembly has passed several consequential bills, including the Sokoto State Community Security Corps bill, which was crafted after a study tour to states and countries with similar bodies.
Other notable laws passed include the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability Law, Zakat and Endowment Commission’s Law, and the Tenancy Control and Safety of Persons Commission Law.
According to him, the Assembly’s amendment to the Local Government Law generated controversy, with some opposition claiming it was targeted at the Sultan of Sokoto.
However, Hon. Bodinga clarified that the amendment was necessary to bring the law into conformity with the Nigerian Constitution and to increase the tenure of council chairmen and councillors from two to three years.
He said the Assembly has also passed a bill mandating compulsory pre-marital medical screening for intending couples. Bodinga explained that the bill aims to reduce the risk of genetic disorders and infectious diseases among couples and has been well-received by the public.
He said the assembly passed another bill aimed at drastically reducing the high cost of marriage consummation in the state.
Bodinga noted that the high cost of marriage has become an obstacle to many young people getting married adding that the Assembly is determined to restore sanity in the system.
Bodinga emphasized the importance of capacity building for Assembly members, stating that they must constantly improve themselves to be able to fashion out legislative solutions to emerging challenges.
He also expressed joy that the Sokoto State House of Assembly has kept its covenant of delivering quality legislation designed to improve good governance to citizens.
