The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Thursday unanimously endorsed proposed amendments to 15 sections of the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for establishing state police.
The Chairman House Committee on Information, Mr Henry Marah, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the House proceedings in Kaduna.
Marah, who represents Jaba State Constituency, said the Assembly supported the proposal the National Assembly transmitted for concurrence.
He said the proposed state police system would strengthen community security, better protect lives and property, and create employment opportunities for youths.
According to him, the current security structure limits state governments’ ability to directly hold police authorities accountable for security failures.
He said the proposed system would provide a legal framework for community-based security initiatives and strengthen local responses to banditry and other crimes.
Marah said the Assembly would formulate appropriate laws to guide the operations and welfare of state police personnel when the proposal takes effect.
He assured that funding would be prioritised, even if the state had to reduce spending on other projects.
“Without security, you cannot even go to the farm or go to work,” he said, stressing that protecting human lives should take precedence over infrastructure development.
The lawmaker urged residents to support the proposed state police system, saying improved security would enable farmers to return to their farms and harvest their produce without fear of kidnapping.
On other legislative activities, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Assembly, Mr Mahmud Lawal, said a bill seeking to amend the Kaduna State Library Board Law had passed its second reading.
Lawal, who represents Zaria City Constituency, said the House agreed with the bill, which had been referred to the Committees on Education and Judiciary for detailed consideration, with a report expected on Nov. 16.
According to him, the proposed amendment seeks to modernise the library system and introduce digital services in line with contemporary educational needs.
He said the existing law, enacted in 1979, required updating to reflect the transition from traditional reading methods to digital learning.
Lawal said the proposed reforms would enable students to access library resources online from their homes and classrooms.
The lawmaker further said a bill seeking to establish the Kaduna State Local Government Service Commission had been set aside until the next sitting.
He explained that lawmakers needed clarification from the bill’s sponsor on whether the proposal sought to establish a new commission, amend an existing law or replace an existing institution.
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