The Benue State Assembly passed into law the 2026 Local Government Amendment Bill on Tuesday, March 31, repealing the Benue State Local Government Law of 2007.
Speaker of the House, Mr Alfred Emberga, presided over the sitting, during which the bill was passed into law.
Mr Terna Shimawua, Kyan (APC), Chairman, House Standing Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who presented the report of the committee, said significant changes have been made to the third tier of government under the law to enhance economic development and growth, encourage broader participation, and improve service delivery at the local government level.
Under the new law, the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is renamed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the number of Departments in the local government service has been increased, while the percentage of funds allocated by Local Government Councils to key MDAs has been revised to enhance efficiency.
The new law, according to Mr Zape Upaa, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, also include financial provisions for the Auditor-General for Local Government, Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Benue State Rehabilitation Board, State-owned Universities, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Primary Health Care, among others, to enhance the efficiency of their operations.
