BY FESTUS AHON

UGHELLI –  Delta State House of Assembly has called for memoranda for the “Delta State Anti-kidnapping and Anti-terrorism bill” which sailed through the second reading on the floor of the House last week.

A statement by the chairman, House Committee on Peace, Security, Ethics and Privileges, Mr. Benjamin Okiemute, said: “A public hearing on the bill has been scheduled for Thursday, May 31.”

All memoranda, according to the statement “should be enclosed in sealed envelopes and addressed to the Delta State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Terrorism bill and forwarded to the Chairman of the Committee, Assembly complex, Delta State House of Assembly.”

“Those to give Oral testimony are advised to contact the secretary to the committee, Mr Ebi Ororogha on GSM number 08034304419 between the hours of 9am and 2pm each day.”

Continuing in the statement, Okiemute said  “contributors are expected to focus attention on how to regulate the activities of kidnappers and terrorists, prosecution of offenders, strategies for investigation, how stakeholders can collaborate to protect lives and properties, ways of promoting measures to improve assistance to the people affected as well as ways of promoting surveillance and intelligence gathering.”

He  asked for “the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Civil Defense  Corps, the State Security Service, Customs, Immigration, Vigilante groups, the Joint Task Force, Traditional Rulers, Nigeria Labour Congress, Non-governmental Organisations, Okada Riders Associations, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Higher Institutions in the State, Market Women Association and Interested Public Spirited Individuals.

The Committee on Peace, Security, Ethics and Privileges is working with the house committee on Rules, Business, Legal and Judicial Matters in scrutinizing the bill.”