Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, has formally, granted autonomy to the state legislature and the state judiciary, having signed two separate bills into law for their funds management.
This was contained in statement, Wednesday, by Lalong’s director of press and public affairs, Dr. Makut Macham.
The State House of Assembly had passed the bills, which were, Wednesday, signed into law at the New Government House, Little Rayfield Jos.
Governor Lalong said the new funds management law for the judiciary and legislature would guide the implementation of the recently granted autonomy for the two arms of government particularly in terms of financial management,” the statement partly read.
According to Lalong, the laws will guide the judiciary and legislature on the implementation of autonomy with regards to funds disbursement, approvals and expenditure in line with extant financial regulations.
“These laws will further strengthen the two institutions by ensuring that funds are judiciously applied to the various needs of the judiciary and legislature.
“It will also assist the two arms to work within the framework of the MOU for the autonomy which was arrived at after thorough engagement between the three arms,” he said.
Similarly, Lalong also signed into law the state Property and Land Use Charge and the Plateau Geographic Information Services (PLAGIS) laws.
He said: “As we sign the law on autonomy, there is greater demand for resources which must be sourced locally.
“One of the things that will give us financial freedom as a state is for people to pay charges on their properties which hitherto have not been collected.
“That way, we can get resources to develop the state and provide services. This law will also enable us to enumerate all properties as well as name streets and number houses across the state”.
The governor said the new laws are not meant to burden the citizens but to enable each property owner contribute to the development of the state.
He said the PLAGIS law will make land administration more secure, flexible and reliable as well as ensure that all land data is captured, transformed and maintained in electronic format.
