Reps advance Police trust fund reform bill, raise alarm over drug costs, insecurity

The House of Representatives on Wednesday advanced a raft of legislative, security and policy matters, including a fresh executive bill from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeking to overhaul the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Act.

The bill, transmitted to the Green Chamber at plenary, proposes a repeal and re-enactment of the existing law to strengthen the Fund’s legal and operational framework.

Lawmakers also turned attention to the rising cost of medicines, urging urgent measures to revive local pharmaceutical manufacturing as a pathway to improved affordability and national self-sufficiency.

On agriculture, the House advocated the development of sustainable price stabilisation mechanisms to protect farmers from market volatility and boost food security.

Security concerns featured prominently, with members calling on the Minister of Defence to deploy adequate personnel and assets to Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The House further demanded urgent intervention in the spate of killings in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State and adjoining communities.

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In its legislative agenda, the House introduced the Special Court for Terrorism, Banditry and Kidnapping (Establishment) Bill alongside 14 other bills for first reading.

The chamber also received committee reports, including one on the Civil Registration Reform Bill, and approved two reports considered critical to national development. In a move aimed at improving legislative efficiency, committees handling previously referred bills were discharged in line with Standing Orders.

At the commencement of plenary, six lawmakers formally defected from the political parties under which they were elected, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gaining four seats.

The House also reinforced its oversight and representative role by presenting five petitions from citizens seeking legislative intervention.