Benson: Making an Impact through Lawmaking

Udora Orizu writes that the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson is focused on sponsoring bills addressing societal, economic needs, ensuring safety and well-being of the citizenry

The member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson can with all modesty be called a paragon of impactful lawmaking – judging by the quality of bills he has sponsored over the years.

The third term lawmaker who was first elected into the Green Chamber of the National Assembly in 2015 stands tall in sponsorship of bills from the 8th, 9th to the present 10th Assembly with some of these  legislations assented to and being implemented for public good.

Benson chaired the House Committee on Banking and Finance, Sub-Committee on Habitat in the 8th Assembly and has been chairman of the Defence Committee in the 9th and 10th Assembly back to back utilising the experience amassed from these critical sectors to initiate bills that add value to the security and welfare of Nigerians.

Among the impactful pieces of legislation to his credit are the Good Samaritan Bill, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2020 to address the need for defined periodic population census in Nigeria and Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 as well as the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Bill, 2019 for DICN to transit into a Military Industrial Complex (MIC) by making it largely self-funding and giving it the powers.

Others include, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2020 to alter the minimum educational qualification for aspirants into political office and National Icons, Symbols Legacy Agency Bill, 2020, a Bill for an Act to Amend the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Foster Collaboration Between the Armed Forces and Other Security Agencies.

Also, it is on record that barely a month into the 10th Assembly, Benson sponsored the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to address the concerns of host communities, and set aside five percent of the actual annual operating expenditures of power generating companies (GENCOs) from the preceding year for the development of their respective host communities.

Interestingly, President Bola Tinubu had signed this 2024 Bill into law early in February, due to its impactful intent and purpose. It proposed the direct payment of five percent of the revenue from electricity generated by Generating Companies (GENCOs) to the host communities.

The versatile legislator just last week, December 5, 2024 had his bill for an Act to prohibit gas flaring, encourage commodity utilisation, and provide for penalties and remedies for gas flaring violations passing through second reading.

The bill seeks to prohibit the flaring and venting of natural gas, except in strictly regulated circumstances, while encouraging the utilisation of gas resources to foster economic growth and energy generation.

Leading the debate on its general principles, Benson said when passed into law, gas flaring would only be allowed in “strictly regulated circumstances”.

This, he said, would encourage the utilisation of gas resources to foster economic growth and energy generation, adding that the bill proposes severe sanctions for violators.

The bill aims to mitigate the environmental, health, and economic impacts of gas flaring, aligning Nigeria’s oil and gas operations with international climate change commitments. This bill is designed to address these issues while bringing Nigeria in line with global standards such as the Paris agreement on climate change.

The bill provides for a comprehensive prohibition of gas flaring except in emergencies or when explicitly authorised by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

“Operators are required to submit and implement Gas Utilisation Plans, detailing how the gas that would otherwise be flared will be captured, processed, or commercialised. This bill ensures that communities affected by gas flaring are entitled to compensation and environmental restoration, creating a mechanism for redress. The bill is expected to yield significant benefits. Environmentally, it will reduce carbon emissions, thereby contributing to Nigeria’s climate targets and promoting sustainability.

“Economically, it will unlock the potential of natural gas as an energy resource, enhancing electricity generation, supporting industrialisation, and creating jobs. Additionally, the public health benefits cannot be overstated, as reduced flaring will limit air pollution and associated health risks for affected communities”.

As an experienced lawyer who believes in quick dispensation of justice, the lawmaker and Deputy House Speaker, Hon Benjamin Kalu, another astute lawyer as well as six others, jointly sponsored a Bill seeking to amend the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Act to provide for an increase in the number of Judges in the FCT High Courts.

The Bill which passed for second reading on November 21, 2024, seeks to address a fundamental aspect of the judiciary’s ability to deliver timely justice, which is an increase of the number of judges in the High Court of the FCT, Abuja, from the current maximum of 75 to a minimum of 100.

Another key bill he co-sponsored was the Bill for an Act to Amend the National Eye Centre Act, Cap. N38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for the Establishment of More Specialist Eye Care Centres and for Other Related Matters (HB.1060).

Other bills sponsored by Benson in the 10th Assembly include, University of Ibile, Lagos establishment Bill, 2023, Armed Forces Support Trust Fund Bill, 2023, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (Amendment) Bill 2023.

Others are Federal Universities of Technology (Amendment) Bill 2023, National Youth Service Corps Act (No. 24 of 1973) (Chapter 285) (Amendment) Bill 2023, Occupational and Health Safety Bill, 2023, Court of Appeal Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, National Health Act, 2014 (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 – An Act to alter the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to insert a new item with respect to taxes on lands and buildings in the FCT, Abuja and for related matters, Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 – An Act to alter the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to rename and transfer fingerprints and criminal records in Part I – Exclusive List to Part II – Concurrent List and for related matters.

“Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 – An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to insert a new item in the Exclusive Legislative List which empowers the National Assembly to declare by an Act, industries necessary for the purpose of defence or for the prosecution of war to ensure that critical resources are readily available for national security and defence during emergencies and for related matters, Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 – An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to insert the words “Foreign Exchange in item 15 of Part I, Second Schedule to the Constitution and for related matters, Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 – An Act to alter the Concurrent Legislative List of the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to insert a new paragraph which provide for “Road Toll” and for related matters, Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 – An Act to amend the Exclusive Legislative List of the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to insert a new item with respect to Child Rights and for related matters, Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 – An Act to alter Section 33 which provides for right of life in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to insert a new subsection which provides that if a woman who is pregnant is convicted of an offence punishable by death, the court shall sentence her to life imprisonment instead of death sentence and for related matters.

“Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 – An act to alter the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to empower State governments to obtain domestic loans on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by laws made by the State House of Assembly and for related matters.

“Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024 – An Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to insert a new item in the Exclusive Legislative List with respect to piracies and crimes committed on the high seas and for related matters and Maize Export Prohibition Bill, 2024 (HB. 1509).”

JB as he’s fondly called has made tremendous impact through significant legislative contributions, out of 37 key bills, five of them have been assented to by Mr President. Each bill addresses critical areas of governance, including defence, electricity and infrastructure.

They include Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (Amendment) Act, this act seeks to reposition DICON into a military industrial complex to be largely self funding, regulate local and international military,  businesses, save cost and provide jobs, the second bill as mentioned above is the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to address the concerns of host communities, and set aside five percent of the actual annual operating expenditures of power generating companies (GENCOs) from the preceding year for the development of their respective host communities.

Others are, Defence Research and Development Bureau Act, which seeks to establish Defence Research and Development Bureau to conduct and coordinate robust research and development in the Armed Forces of Nigeria and related matters, Constitutional amendment to move the item “Railways” from exclusive to Concurrent legislative list and Constitutional amendment to allow states to generate,  transit and distribute electricity in areas covered by national grid.

JB is an exceptional, remarkable leader, nationalist, and an unwavering advocate for the nation’s prosperity. Through his legislative interventions, he has always focused on addressing societal needs and so deserves all accolades.

-Orizu writes from Abuja

Page 1b