From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has signed an executive order establishing the Department of Public Order in the Ministry of Justices to coordinate government policies and matters relating to public order.
Performing the ceremony on Friday at the Government House in Makurdi, Alia said the order was in pursuant to Section 14, Sub-section (2) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 10 of the Public Order Act, CAP 382 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said he inherited a state characterised by widespread criminality and political violence such as kidnappings, murder, intimidation against targeted groups or individuals leading to the emergence of local war lords and militia groups.
Represented by the state Deputy Governor, Barr Sam Ode, Alia said those who breach the public rules would pay fines between N20,000 and N500,000 or imprisonment depending on the gravity of the offence.
He said the order prohibited all acts of violence, disobedience, lawlessness in the state and called for strict adherence to the law.
Alia said the act was to assist maintain law and order in the state.
He said the state was facing several security issues and needed to adopt its own measures in collaboration with security agencies and stakeholders to have a peace and harmonious home for all.
Governor Alia announced the establishment of a Public Order Advisory Committee with the mandate to advise the government on policies, restoration, attainment, preservation and maintenance of Public Order and safety in the state.
He said a Public Order Committee was established to operate in all the local government areas by collaborating with the advisory committee and other stakeholders for the enforcement of the prescribed public order laws.
Earlier, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr Fidelis Mnyim said all over the world “there is law where there is order.”
Mnyim explained that the observance of law goes together with public order which is the core responsibility of all governments.