Welcome to another Legislative Day in the Abia State House of Assembly.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji led Principal Officers into the Hallowed Chambers.
Hon Chukwudi Apugo, Member representing Umuahia East State Constituency led the opening prayer.
The Abia State House of Assembly commenced plenary after the adoption of Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 16th March, 2021.
ANNOUNCEMENT
The Speaker informed the House about a letter the Governor sent to the House, requesting that the Speaker and Honourable Members accompany him on a statewide inspection tour of ongoing projects.
The Speaker pleaded with the Honourable Members to make themselves available so they will accompany the Governor on the tour.
MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
Hon Mandela Egwuronu Obasi, Member representing Ohafia North State Constituency, brought up a Matter of Urgent Public Importance about the gruesome murder of some policemen in his constituency today. He narrated how he got a disturbing call this morning that some policemen were gruesomely murdered in his constituency, and he immediately reached out to the DPO in his area who confirmed the incident. He commiserated with the families of the slain police officers and prayed God to grant them eternal rest.
The Lawmaker urged the police to act swiftly and effectively bring this negative development to a halt.
After contributions from Members who frowned at the incessant attacks on policemen in the country, the Speaker said it is very worrisome that the killing of policemen has become a recurring decimal in the last couple of months.
“It is not my wish to be presiding over plenary sessions where we will be talking about killings and other inhumane atrocities perpetrated by hoodlums, especially when it has to do with the murder of security personnel” the Speaker said.
The Speaker further said that it is very important that the State take adequate measures in getting the State Vigilantee Services to work effectively and do whatever needs to be done to also support the Nigerian Police.
“Assuming you had a security patrol or a Vigilantee group that is in Abiriba when this unfortunate incident happened, there will be some form of resistance; this Police officers wouldn’t have died like that. This security personnel have kids and other dependants.
“On the issue of the welfare and remuneration of the Police Force, that is a matter that is beyond this Assembly, we can only ask the Federal Government to provide special packages for the Police. The Nigeria Police Force have won several awards outside the country on peace keeping and conflict resolution, so we ask ourselves the question, why are they then falling below standard in conducting their activities in Nigeria” the Speaker asked.
The Speaker pleaded that adequate welfare packages and equipment be provided the Police for the proper discharge of their duties. “Most importantly, let us all be our brothers keeper”, he said.
The House commiserated with the police on the loss of its men to the incident and prayed God to grant the loved ones of the victims the fortitude to bear the loss.
ORDER OF THE DAY
H.A.B. 38: The Abia State Safety Management and Building Control Agency Bill, 2021.
The Bill for a Law to Establish the Abia State Safety Management and Building Control Agency sponsored by Hon Ginger Onwusibe, Member representing Isiala Ngwa North was deferred to be considered on another legislative day.
H.A.B. 21: The Abians In Diaspora Commission Bill, 2020.
A Bill for a law to Establish Abians in Diaspora Commission sponsored by Hon Onyekwere Mike Ukoha, Member representing Arochukwu State Constituency.
After having passed through the necessary legislative processes, the Speaker said, “we can comfortably delete the word “Bill” and insert the word “Law” into it.
“Honorable Colleagues, this Law might be cited as ‘The Abians in Diaspora Commission Law’ and shall come into force this day, 22nd of March, 2021”.
Subsequently, H.A.B 21: The Abians in Diaspora Commission Bill, 2020 was passed into Law.
Consideration of the Report of the House Committee on Industry, Science and Technology on H.A.B. 24: The Abia State Industrial Clusters, Layouts Bill 2020 and consideration of H.A.B. 6: A Bill for a Law to Establish the Abia State Consumer Protection Agency were deferred to be considered on another legislative day.
ADJOURNMENT
Hon Solomon Akpulonu, Majority Leader of the House, moved that plenary be adjourned to another legislative day.
The Minority Leader seconded the motion.
Plenary was therefore adjourned to Monday, 29th March, 2021.
Courtesy: Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly.
