Gov. Alia establishes new department to Checkmate Prostitution, Open defecation, Urination

From Attah Ede Makurdi

The Benue State Government, Friday, established a new department called department of Public Order under the ministry of Justice to coordinate activities of government policies and matters relating to public order.

The Public Order department was introduced and launch through an executive order declaration by Governor Hyicenth Alia.

Governor Alia said the executive order was 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.

According to the governor, any breach of the prescribed public rules will amount to sanction including not less than 20,000 and not more than 500,000 thousand naira fine or an imprisonment depending on the gravity of the offense.

Governor Alia who was represented by his deputy, Sam Odeh, prohibited all acts in violation of public order in the state and called for strict adherence to the laws.

He said that the new policy proscribed public misconduct include, disobedience to traffic rules, child labour and exploitation, all forms of prostitution, indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road dividers.

Also prohibited; open defecation and urination, demanding of marching ground levy from developers, building on water channels or structures, kiosks, shanties on the right of way, hawking or selling of goods of any kind by the road side or on the road.

Governor Alia noted further that, the law prohibited farming on empty unfenced plots of land or in front of any premises or on the street, or by the road side within urban areas.

“Farming on undeveloped areas of Government offices or Quarters or reserved areas.

“From the commencement of the Order, rallies, wakes and other forms of public gatherings should not hold beyond the hours of 10 Pm in the State but any person or group wishing to hold gathering beyond 10 Pam are advised to first, seek and obtain a permit from the Department of Public Order at the Ministry of Justice”.

The governor through the executive Order, announced the establishment of a Public Order Advisory Committee with the mandate to advise government on policies, restoration, attainment, preservation and maintenance of Public Order and safety in the state.

Also, 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.