The Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Publicity, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie, has attributed the consideration of the Abia State Electricity Bill to the importance the 8th Assembly attaches to the provision of a constant power supply to the people for a robust economy.
Rt. Hon. Okezie, who stated this while speaking with our newsmen shortly after the plenary, said that the piece of legislation will give the state the legal framework and platform to have its own regulatory commission, establish, and regulate the power supply needed for the overall development of the state.
On the Abia State Public Procedure for Disclosure of Public Information Bill also before the House, the Deputy Speaker opined that it will promote transparency and accountability in government, even as it will give individuals the legitimate platform to be free to report the misdemeanor of any public servant without fear of unnecessary intimidation.
In his lead debate earlier at the plenary, the Deputy Majority Leader and member representing the Umunneochi State Constituency, Hon. Matthias Ume, said the Bill seeks to regulate the way and manner through which information is displayed to the public, especially in this era of social media where fake news is spread without control.
Hon. Ume disclosed that the bill provides for the protection of those who disclose correct public information and prevents those whose stock in trade is fake news from causing harm or damage to others.
