The First Lady of Bayelsa State has commended the Bayelsa State House of Assembly for domesticating the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) in the State.
Reacting to the passage of the VAPP bill 2019 on Wednesday, the wife of the governor through a statement issued by her press secretary, Maria Olodi-Osumah, said the long awaited passage since 2017 has finally been realized.
“I am happy and delighted that today Bayelsa State has joined the league of States in Nigeria that have domesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill (VAPP).
I am hopeful that my husband,the Executive Governor Senator Douye Diri will give Assent considering the confidence and respect he has for the Legislative arm of Government knowing they have done a thorough job,the benefits to humanity and his Gender friendly disposition thereby giving me and other stakeholders the strength and courage to fight Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the State” She said.
The First Lady who described the VAPP as a one stop Law that addresses grey areas in the Child Rights Law,Widows and Widowers Law and Female Genital Mutilation Law expressed optimism that Victims and Survivors of Gender Based Violence especially Sexual Violence against minors will be nipped in the bud.
Laying emphasis on the merits of the VAPP Law to the wellbeing of all and sundry,Dr.Mrs Diri stressed that the Law will protect Men, Women, Children and the Vulnerable in the State as Spousal and Children Abandonment, Compensation and Support Fund for Victims and Survivors as well as Stringent Punishment for offenders are adequately endorsed by the Law.
Dr.Mrs Diri appreciated the Rt.Hon.Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly,Abraham Ingobere, Sponsor of the bill, Hon Tari Porri, Chief Whip, Hon.Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, chairman House Committee on Gender Hon.Naomi Ogoli and all members of the BYHA for their numerous efforts and contributions which resulted in the passage of the bill into Law.
In her words”The Members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly by the passage of the VAPP Bill have shown commitment to better the lot of Bayelsans and other residents of the State because the Law knows no discriminatIon.
It will reduce GBV in the Socio-Cultural and Political Spheres to the minimum and I truly appreciate and acknowledge their efforts”
While Congratulating the Gender Response Initiative Team GRIT and other Stakeholders for working tirelessly at ensuring the VAPP Bill is passed called for more concerted efforts geared towards Sensitization of the citizenry about the benefits and Consequences of flouting the law.
