The proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria has moved closer to becoming law, with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, announcing that the constitutional amendment bill is ready for transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Kalu disclosed that 29 State Houses of Assembly had endorsed the proposal, exceeding the minimum 24 states required for the constitutional amendment.
He said the growing support reflected increasing recognition of the need to decentralise the country's policing system and strengthen the fight against insecurity.
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The Deputy Speaker said the bill had completed the legislative process, paving the way for its transmission to the President.
The development comes amid renewed calls for state policing as communities across the country continue to face security challenges, including kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the impact of Federal Government interventions in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by a member of the House, Billy Osawaru, who raised concerns that many small business owners had yet to benefit from government support programmes.
The investigation is expected to examine the implementation and reach of the interventions designed to support small businesses.
In another development, the House is seeking to amend the National Health Act 2014 to prevent hospitals from delaying emergency treatment over demands for upfront payment.
The proposed amendment, sponsored by the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi Jnr, seeks to make triage, stabilisation and referral mandatory for emergency patients.
The bill is also designed to guarantee immediate medical attention for patients requiring urgent care, regardless of their ability to pay before treatment.
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