The Benue State House of Assembly has constituted an Ad Hoc Committee to review the Standing Orders of the House.
The constitution of the committee took place during Thursday’s plenary session at the Hallowed Chamber of the Assembly Complex in Makurdi, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alfred Emberga.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Peter Ipusu (APC), will serve as Chairman of the committee, while Dr. Alfred Odeh will serve as Secretary.
Other members include: Hon. Williams Ortyom — Agasha State Constituency
Hon. Godwin Abu Edoh — Agatu State Constituency, Hon. Abraham Jabi — Buruku State Constituency, Hon. Elias Audu — Gwer State Constituency, Hon. Simon Gabo — Deputy Majority Whip, Hon. Emmanuel Blessed-Onah — Oju I State Constituency.
Announcing the committee, Speaker Emberga emphasised that the review is vital to strengthening the legislative processes of the Assembly and enhancing its operational efficiency and oversight functions in the overall interest of Benue State.
He urged the members to be proactive, conduct a thorough review, and submit recommendations that will promote effective representation, robust legislation, transparency, accountability, and credible oversight.
The Speaker directed the committee to complete its assignment and submit its report within sixty (60) days.
In another development, A Bill for a Law to Provide for Tuberculosis Elimination, Human Rights Protection, and Anti-Discrimination in Benue State, 2026, sponsored by Deputy Chief Whip Hon. Simon Gabo and five others, passed its first reading during Thursday’s plenary.
Following the formal reading of the title by the Clerk, Speaker Emberga referred the bill to the House Standing Committee on Health for further legislative scrutiny.
The Assembly also granted a two-week extension to two Ad Hoc committees to enable them to finalise their assignments:
Ad Hoc Committee Investigating Indiscriminate Garnishee Orders Against the Benue State Government, chaired by Majority Leader Hon. Peter Ipusu.
Ad Hoc Committee Examining Local Government Procurement Compliance, chaired by Hon. Cephas Dyako (Konshisha State Constituency), tasked with assessing local councils’ adherence to the Benue State Public Procurement Law, 2020 (as amended).
The extensions followed appeals by both committees citing the absence of key stakeholders specifically Local Government Area Chairmen who failed to appear because they were attending an official seminar in Abuja.
