Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has signed an executive order establishing the Department of Public Order housed in the Ministry of Justice to checkmate open defecation, urination and prostitution, among others.
The establishment of the order would also coordinate government policies and matters relating to public order.
Alia who performed the ceremony at the weekend in Government House, Makurdi, 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.
Represented by his deputy, Barr Sam Ode, the governor said he inherited a state characterised by widespread criminality and political violence such as kidnapping, murder, intimidation against targeted groups or individuals leading to emergence of local warlords and militia groups.
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The proscribed public misconducts include disobedience to traffic rules, child labour and exploitation, all forms of prostitution, indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road dividers, open defecation and urination, demanding of marching ground levy from developers, building on water channels or structures, kiosks, shanties on the right of way.
Also prohibited are farming on empty and unfenced plots of land or in front of any premises or on the street, or by the roadside within urban areas; as well as farming on undeveloped areas of government offices or quarters or reserved areas.
The governor 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 added that the state was facing several security issues and needed to adopt her own measures in collaboration with security agencies as well as stakeholders to have a peace and harmonious home for all.
Alia therefore 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.
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.
“The duty and responsibility of the government is the protection of lives and property which manifests by way of observance of law and order.”
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