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The Area Courts Bill, 2025 has been read for second time in the Kwara State House of Assembly.
A member representing Omupo Constituency, Mr. Ganiyu Salahu while leading the debate on the Bill noted that, it was not not only timely but essential as it seeks to restructure and revertilize the area court system in the state.
Other Members who contributed in the debate, said when the Bill is passed would ensure constitution of Area Courts and promote speady administration of justice in the state.
The Speaker, Mr Yakubu Danladi-Salihu who directed the Clerk to read the Bill thereafter referred it to the House Committee on Ethics privileged and judiciary for further legislative processes and to present its report as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, a motion for the urgent need to promote economic empowerment through large-scale cultivation of hybrid shea nut trees was moved by Alhaji Abdullahi Danbaba from Kaiama/kemanji/Wajibe.
Speaking on the motion, Alhaji Danbaba noted that the state government has embarked on a laudable initiative to develop the shea butter processing industry as part of efforts to diversify the state’s economy, reduce unemployment, and increase IGR through non-oil export earnings.
He urged Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq to direct the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to initiate a comprehensive hybrid shea nut tree cultivation programme to support the state’s shea butter processing agenda.
Other Lawmakers who spoke also urged the Governor to direct the Ministry Agriculture and Rural Development to collaborate with the state Geogràphic Information Service and the Ministry of Environment to identify and allocate suitable lands for hybrid shea tree plantation, particularly under utilized and degraded areas, and incorporate this into it’s reforestation programmes.
The House called on the Governor to direct Ministry Agriculture and Rural Development programme to organize statewide sensitisation and training programmes on hybrid shea tree farming techniques, value addition, and market access.
The Lawmakers however advised Governor Abdulrasaq to direct the Ministry of Finance and the Kwara Investment Promotion Agency to facilitate access to funding and public-private partnaships to promote investment across the shea value chain.
By Ameen Ayinla
