Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

The Yobe State House of Assembly on Thursday held a public hearing for Fiscal Responsibility and Public Procurement bills for the state, calling on all stakeholders to make inputs before its passage.

The chairman, joint public accounts committee, Abdullahi Usman Kukuwa, at the opening session of the hearing said that contributions from members of the public, civil societies and the media were very key in order for the bill to be effective.

“You all know that the importance of this bill to the general public cannot be over-emphasised, just as its passage into law will fine tune the financial prudence and transparent handling of the finances of the state and its resources in general,” Kukuwa said.

He urged all players to come up quality contributions in their presentations so ensure quality legislation if the bills are passed.

Representatives of the Voice and Accountability Platform, Abubakar Baba Shehu, and the Network of Civil Society Organization, Dauda Gombe, commended the committee for putting together the forum.

They were, however, of the opinion that the two bills should be fine-tuned to meet with international financial best practices and that the House should take a closer look at some of the decisions vested in the executive in the bills especially in areas of hiring and firing of members.

The session was attended by members of the public, including civil society and faith based organizations as well as the media.