Akin Alabi Sets Records, Presents 10 Bills in House of Reps • ‘All Proposals’ Pass First Reading

HM Ramadan

Hon. Akin Alabi, the lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Works, has set a new legislative records in the National Assembly.

In a historic move this week, Akin Alabi presented a series of impactful bills on the floor of the House of Representatives, all of which successfully passed their first reading.

The bills, which reflect Hon. Alabi’s focus on reform and national development covered a broad range of issues aimed at enhancing good governance, promoting fairness, and improving service delivery for Nigerians.

Among the notable bills were:

Local Government Elections Reform Bill: This constitutional amendment seeks to transfer the authority to conduct local government elections from state electoral commissions to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), promoting consistency and transparency in local elections nationwide.

Electoral Vacancy Amendment Bill: A proposal that allows political parties to fill vacant elective positions caused by death or resignation, ensuring continued representation and minimising electoral disruptions.

Nationality Law Reform Bill: the bill aimed at eliminating gender discrimination in nationality laws, this bill would enable Nigerian women to pass their nationality to foreign husband, a right currently limited to men.

Criminal Code Expansion Bill: This proposal seeks to update Nigeria’s Criminal Code to reflect modern legal standards and practices, ensuring that the country’s laws aligned with contemporary global legal frameworks.

Domestic Workers’ Rights Bill: This bill would establish minimum standards for the welfare and protection of domestic workers, ensuring fair treatment and improved working conditions in this often-overlooked sector.

National Gaming Act: A proposal to repeal the existing National Lottery Act and replace it with a comprehensive National Gaming Act. The new law would enhance the regulation of gaming activities and increase government revenue from the sector.

Criminal Justice Act Review Bill: This bill proposes reforms to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to better align it with constitutional principles and improve the efficiency of Nigeria’s justice system.

Federal Medical Centre, Ona-Ara Bill: Seeks to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Ona-Ara, Oyo State, to provide quality healthcare services to the region and address the growing healthcare needs of its residents.

Federal College of Health Technology, Egbeda Bill: A proposal to establish a Federal College of Health Technology in Egbeda, Oyo State, aimed at boosting healthcare education and training professionals in the region.

Road Safety Penalty Amendment Bill: This bill proposes amendments to the Federal Road Safety Commission Act, adjusting penalties and fines to ensure they are commensurate with modern realities and to improve road safety enforcement.

Hon. Akin Alabi’s legislative initiative demonstrates his unwavering commitment to both national reform and the welfare of his constituents. His proactive approach has positioned him as a forward-thinking lawmaker, dedicated to addressing critical issues in governance, healthcare, criminal justice, and workers’ rights.

In a statement following the presentation of the bills, Hon. Alabi reaffirmed his dedication to reforming key sectors of Nigeria’s governance, saying, “these legislative proposals are geared toward reforming critical sectors of our governance, ensuring fairness, accountability, and improved services for all Nigerians. We must make sure the laws we pass respond to the needs of the people and the evolving realities of our society.

“As the representative of Egbeda and Ona Ara, I remain dedicated to pushing for reforms that will directly impact the lives of my people and improve the overall governance structure of Nigeria.” Akin Alabi reaffirmed.

With the successful first reading of all his bills, Hon. Akin Alabi continues to solidify his reputation as a reformist lawmaker, known for driving positive changes for both his constituents and the nation at large. The House of Representatives will now proceed to the next stage of legislative deliberations on these groundbreaking proposals.