Gov Alia signs executive order to monitor public behaviour in Benue

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has signed an Executive Order establishing the Department of Public Order in the Ministry of Justice to coordinate government policies and matters relating to public order.

While performing the ceremony on Friday in Makurdi, Alia said the order was in pursuant of 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.

He said he inherited a state characterized by widespread criminality and political violence such as kidnappings, murders, intimidation against targeted groups or individuals leading to emergence of local warlords and militia groups.

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Sam Ode, said that those who breach the public rules would pay fines between N20,000 and N500,000 or be imprisoned, depending on the gravity of the offence.

He said the order prohibits all acts of violence, disobedience, lawlessness, and called for strict adherence to it.

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“Apart from the grave state of insecurity highlighted above, my administration inherited indiscipline and disorderly public conduct which had been accepted by many citizens as norms, rather than aberrations.

“Incidences of disobedience to traffic light, wrong parking of cars, indiscriminate disposal of waste, loitering at late hour, will all attract penalties,” he said

Justifying the signing of the executive order, Alia said the act was to assist in maintaining law and order in the state.

He said the state was facing several security issues and needed to adopt her own measures in collaboration with security agencies and stakeholders to have a peaceful and harmonious home for all.

“Public order, as you know, is no doubt within the domain of the security agencies and law enforcement agencies which make up the criminal justice system in our country,” he pointed out.

Alia said the executive order reaffirms the government’s stand against crime and disorder.

He 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.

He said a Public Order Committee had been 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.

Earlier, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr Fidelis Mnyim, had said that all over the world, there is a law where there is order.

Mnyim explained that the observance of law always goes together with public order which is the core responsibility of all governments.

“The duty and responsibility of the government is for the protection of lives and property which manifests by way of observance of law and order.

“Section 10 of the public order act has permitted the governor to make such orders,” he added.