Writing By Aminu Dalhatu; Editing By Godwin Duru
The Zamfara State House of Assembly has expressed readiness to fast-track the passage of a bill to establish the State Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre, aimed at providing flexible, faster, and less costly means of resolving disputes outside conventional courts.
Speaker of the House, Bilyaminu Isma’il Moriki announced this shortly after leading a delegation on a lesson-sharing visit to the Kaduna State Multi-Door Courthouse in Kaduna.
Isma’il Moriki explained that, the visit was part of efforts to strengthen legislative processes by learning from Kaduna State’s 12-year experience with its ADR system.
He noted that the initiative would help the Zamfara Assembly to develop people-oriented legislation tailored to addressing local challenges in dispute resolution.
“We have many cases in our society that do not necessarily require litigation in conventional courts.
The Speaker emphasized that, establishing an ADR Centre in Zamfara will ease the burden on its people by offering mediation, negotiation, counseling, and other simple mechanisms to settle conflicts.
He commended Kaduna State House of Assembly for its support and open-door policy, adding that the exchange of ideas would help refine Zamfara’s proposed ADR legislation to meet present realities.
Earlier, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Dahiru Liman, who described the visit as timely and historic.
He assured his colleagues from Zamfara of Kaduna’s willingness to share legislative experiences with other state assemblies across the country.
Earlier, the Director of the Kaduna Multi-Door Courthouse, Mrs. Dorcas Daniel, who led the technical session and gave an overview of the agency’s establishment, operations, and achievements encouraged Zamfara lawmakers to expedite the establishment of a similar centre.
A copy of the law establishing the Kaduna ADR Centre was later presented to the visiting lawmakers by the Deputy Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mr. Magaji Henry Danjuma.
The interactive session was attended by lawmakers from Kaduna and Zamfara assemblies, development partners, and civil society representatives.
The Zamfara Speaker expressed optimism that lessons drawn from Kaduna would be instrumental in shaping an ADR system that guarantees wider access to justice in the state.
REL/AMINU DALHATU
