Bill for the establishment of Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy Alkaleri to provide courses of instruction, research and training in oil and gas technology has scaled second reading at the floor of the Bauchi State House of Assembly.
Summary of proceedings made available to WikkiTimes suggest that the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy Alkaleri passed second reading after Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Baballe Abubakar Dambam moved a motion which was seconded by minority leader and read on the floor by deputy clerk, Lamara Abdu Chinade.
Debating the bill on the floor of the assembly Hon. Bello Muazu Shira opined that the school should be located elsewhere in other parts of the State and not Alkaleri; “Since Alkarei is where the oil is found, other parts without oil should get the school”.
He said doing so will demonstrate justice and give other LGAs in the state a sense of belonging.
Hon Yusuf Muhammad Bako countered Shira, insisting that Alkaleri was the most deserving location for the academy.
Corroborating Bako, the Speaker of the assembly Abubakar Suleiman insisted that the school ought to be where oil is found as it was the practice everywhere.
After so much interest shown by members to express their opinion, the Speaker, Abubakar Y Suleiman overruled all observations on the bill, referring it to joined committees of education, science and technology and mines and power.
The committees were given one month to report back.
WikkiTimes recalls that Bauchi State government has approved the establishment of Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri Local Government Area in February this year following the discovery of oil in commercial quantity.
Umar Sade, the State Commissioner for Power, Science and Technology at a news conference shortly after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in February said;”the state shall set the necessary machinery in motion to enact the enabling law, establishing the institute in order to give it the required legal backing.
He said the Institution would be named ‘Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, Alkaleri’ (BOGAA).
He said part of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi, shall be utilised as temporary site for the proposed institute and Office Accommodation for its Principal Officers.
During the plenary, bill for the establishment of the Bauchi State roads and traffic agency to regulate, control and manage traffic and other connected matters also scaled second reading.
Hon Abubakar Dambam moved a motion for that and was seconded by minority leader Hon. Bakoji Aliyu Bobbo.
The bill was referred to House committee on works and Transport and they were to report within one week.
