By Abubakar Muhammad Adamu
The Adamawa State House of Assembly has on Wednesday conducted the second reading of a bill aimed at enacting the Adamawa State Agricultural Development Agency Law, twenty-twenty four, which would repeal the Agricultural Development Programme Edict Number ten of nineteen eighty seven.
The bill, sponsored by Member representing Verre Constituency, Japhet Hammanjabu, seeks to enhance agricultural activities across the state if passed into law.
In his presentation of the bill’s general principles, Mr. Hammanjabu emphasized that the legislation seeks to revitalize the defunct Agricultural Development Programme (AADP), once a source of pride for farmers in Adamawa.
He explained that the bill is designed to align the Agency with modern and international agricultural best practices, thereby transforming the state’s agricultural sector.
According to Japhet Hammanjabu, the proposed Agency is expected to foster agricultural development and growth, create employment opportunities for the youth, enhance revenue profiles, and ensure food security.
The Lawmaker said the bill also outlines the composition and duties of the Board, the Director-General, and the Secretary, as well as the functions of various departments and offices within the Agency.
Mr. Hammanjabu urged his colleagues to support the bill, emphasizing its significant importance.
Contributing on the bill, Member representing Mayo Belwa Constituency and Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Information, Reintegration, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation, Musa Mahmud Kallamu stated that, as an agricultural state, Adamawa would greatly benefit from the establishment of the Agency if the bill is passed.
Following the second reading, Speaker Bathiya Wesley, who presided over the plenary, referred the bill to the House Standing Committee on Agriculture for further scrutiny and directed the committee to report back within two weeks.
Also, the House conducted the second reading of two executive bills during Wednesday’s Plenary.
This include a bill to establish the Adamawa Investment Promotion Agency and another to establish the Adamawa Revenue Administration Law, twenty-twenty four, which would provide for the appointment of Executive Directors and expand the composition of the board.