Bauchi Speaker worries over high rate of sexual violence

Bauchi Speaker worries over high rate of sexual violence

By Ahmed Ahmed

The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly Mr Abubakar Suleiman has lamented over the high rate of sexual and other forms of violence in the State.

Sulaiman made the lamentation at the inauguration of the Advisory and Technical Committee of the Costed Model Action Plan of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) on Friday in Bauchi

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He said that the setting up and inauguration of an advisory and technical committee for the implementation of the law is a panacea to the effective implementation of the law which as a result, will curb the menace.

“The increasing cases of rape and other form of violence against persons, call for swift action and effective modalities toward implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law

“Which was sponsored by my humble self on the floor of the Bauchi State House of Assembly and after going through the rigours of legislation, His Excellency graciously assented to and as of today it is adopted in the State.

“Violence is a global phenomenon and it is not new, what is new is the rigor and vigor of violence in recent times. The law prohibits all forms of violence against persons in private and public life and provides maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders,” he said.

According to him, the VAPP law was as a result of agitations for protection of persons against the different forms of violence.

“Violence at the home front and the larger society is fast becoming a trend. Daily we hear of someone killing or maiming their spouse or a scorned lover pouring acid on an ex lover or someone being gang raped to death etc.

He added that it was the need to protect the citizens from violence such as these that led to the enactment of VAPP law in Bauchi.” He explained.

Suleiman however noted that the VAPP law of the State has some provisions that may not be practicable in our jurisdiction therefore there is a move to amend such areas for smooth administration of the law.

The speaker assures support of the assembly to all people-oriented policies and programmes of the present administration,

He charged members of the two committees to show zeal, commitment and patriotism toward providing strategic leadership and guidance to the government so that the mission of the law will be attained.

Sulaiman also Commended the Governor Bala Mohammad for establishing an implementation committee on violence against persons prohibition law.

While Inaugurating the Committees, Governor Mohammad tasked the committees to work in close collaboration and in active synergy with critical stakeholders in order to eliminate violence against persons prohibition in the society.

According to him, Bauchi State is the first in the North East to demonstrate the VAPP law, yet translating the law into practical action on the ground remains challenging with a persistent gap between commitment and financial support.

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He, therefore, stressed the need for all stakeholders to have an obligation to participate in creating a peaceful and safe environment for the growth and development of the State especially for the security and protection of everyone.