Abia House of Assembly Plenary for Wednesday, 22nd July, 2020

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, informed the Lawmakers of the arrival back to the State of the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.

The Speaker on behalf of the Abia State House of Assembly prayed for God’s continued protection on the life of the Governor.

MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

The Member representing Ukwa West State Constituency, Hon Godwin Adiele, brought a Matter of Urgent Public Importance on the fire outbreak at Afor Ogwe in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

He said his visit to the site left him with tears because of the level of damage caused by the fire.He prayed the House to mandate the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to reach out to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for help to the victims.

According to him, the outbreak was caused by an adulterated kerosene.

“Mr Speaker, almost all the kerosene sold in this state are adulterated”, he lamented.He also prayed the House to investigate the continuous adulteration of kerosene in the State.

After contributions from Honourable Lawmakers, the House resolved as follows:

(1) That State Emergency Management Agency urgently visit and approve some palliatives to the victims of the fire incident.

(2) That the State Ministry of Petroleum completely stop the sale of Premium Motor Spirit, diesel and kerosene being sold by unauthorized dealers within the area unless at filling stations and other authorised outlets.

NOTICE OF PRESENTATION OF BILLH.A.B 23: The Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons Bill, 2020 (A Bill for a Law to Establish the Abia State Commission and for other matters incidental thereto) sponsored by the Member representing Ukwa East State Constituency, Hon Paul Tharibo.

The House passed the Bill into First Reading.The House Passed H.A.B. 21: Abians in Diaspora Commission Bill, 2020 sponsored by Hon Mike Ukoha into Second Reading.

Hon Stanley Nwabuisi, a co-sponsor of the Bill who stood in for the Sponsor, Hon Mike Ukoha, said the Commission seeks to harness the potentials of Abia State citizens in the Diaspora.

He said the Commission would also serve as a direct link for Abians in Diaspora to participate in the development of the State.

“This Bill seeks to enhance Culture and Tourism; the Bill seeks to work out a workable partnership between Abians in Diaspora and those at home for the development of the State”, he submitted.After positive contributions by Lawmakers, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, committed the Bill into the Committee of the Whole for further Legislative actions.

The House entertained the report of the House Committee on Health on the need to refurbish the Ohafia General Hospital in line with Abia State Government’s efforts to widen access to quality healthcare delivery.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Committee recommended that the Ohafia General Hospital should be renovated since it is the only hospital that serves Ohafia and other parts of Arochuwkwu, therefore should not be left in a state of comatose

(2) That there should be total overhaul of the management and staff of the hospital, with emphasis on the posting of doctors from Ohafia since they are expected to be resident in Ohafia

(3) That the Government should be advised to construct a perimeter fencing in the hospital(4) That the medical laboratory of the hospital should also be rehabilitated and the machines made operational

(5) That since the mortuary is functional and needs expansion, it could be achieved through a PPP arrangementThe House adopted all the recommendations as presented by the Committee Chairman, Hon Stanley Nwabuisi.The Speaker committed the reports to the House Committee of the Whole for further legislative action on a future Legislative date.

The House Entertained the Report of the House Committee on Appropriation on H.A.B 22:

The Abia State of Nigeria 2020 Revised Appropriation Bill.After presentation of the Report by Hon Thomas Nkoro, the House committed the Report to the House Committee of the Whole for further Legislative action.

With a Motion of the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Paul Tharibo, which was seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon Abraham Oba, the House amended its Order Paper to accommodate the consideration of the Report in the Committee of the Whole.

After the consideration of the Report at the Committee of the Whole, the Speaker reported progress at the resumed Plenary.

The revised Budget has a total sum of One Hundred and Two Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Four Naira Only (102,660,432,904).

It has Fifty Five Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty Million, Three Hundred and Forty-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty Four Naira as total Recurrent Expenditure and Forty-Seven Billion, Three Hundred and Eighty Million, Ninety One Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty Naira as total Capital Expenditure.

With the Motion of the Majority Leader Hon Solomon Akpulonu, and support by the Minority Leader, the House further amended its Order Paper to accommodate the Third Reading of the Bill.

The House passed the Bill into Law.

With the Motion of the Majority Leader Hon Solomon Akpulonu, the House adjourned Plenary to resume on Monday, 10th August, 2020 at 10am