Thomas Abi Jr|8 September 2015|5:52am
On the 11th June, 2015, the 8th Cross River State House of Assembly was inaugurated with a proclamation for the holding of the first sitting of the 8th legislative House. It commemorated with a letter read by the deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu which read "Now therefore, I senator Prof. Benedict Ayade; Governor of Cross River State of Nigeria in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 105 (3) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and all other powers enabling me in that behalf DO HEREBY issue this proclamation that the first Session of the House of Assembly of the Cross River State of Nigeria shall hold on Thursday the 11th day of June, 2015 at 1:00 O'clock in the afternoon at the House of Assembly, Calabar". After the proclamation by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Esu(unbehalf of the Governor) declared the House open for the business of the day to commence. The full business of inauguration began in full swing. Looking at the caliber of men and women to be sworn in as Honourable members, I knew Cross River State had gotten it right this time round. The Assembly was full to capacity with friends and well wishers who came to witness the inauguration of the honorable members.
After the historic event of the inauguration and the House started the actual business of legislation, the people of Cross River have every course to be thankful for having such a vibrant House of Assembly. An Assembly that is very savvy and open to the needs and aspiration of the People.
The Cross River State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo(Maverick Gaul) has witnessed a lot of positive changes. With his Legislative Direction which was very apt and erudite. In the literature review of the legislative direction, he said, " History is more than the path left by the past. It Influences the present and can shape the future. It has fallen on us to make laws and represent our People, tackle economic turbulence, preserve the political order, save the depreciating social capital, protect the health of those without health and seek that precious balance between security which is often threatened, and human rights which is often denied be taken care of". With the kind words of the Speaker on women, youth and his determination to put the Cross River State House of Assembly on the world map, it gave me hope of a new Cross River State.
In the last three months since the inauguration of the 8th Assembly, the House has been able to pass over 9 bills into law. In the bid to bringing revenue to the State, the Cross River State House of Assembly has passed 5 Laws that are revenue generating Laws and also Six generating Laws have also been passed for the establishment of revenue generating agencies in the State.
Looking at the achievements of the 8th Cross River State House of Assembly, I have no doubt in my heart that it is about the best House of Assembly in Nigeria.
In meeting the needs and aspiration of the Cross River people, the House has passed a bill for a Law to make provisions for the Cross River State Sustainable Development Goals Agency. The Agency upon establishment, shall center on. Human Capital development; focusing on Sustainable Agriculture, Healthcare, Education, End Poverty and Hunger. It further looks at the Infrastructure problems of the Cross River People, with the objective of providing access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, energy and modern information/ Communication Technology, Increase farm outputs using Sustainable practices, transport and environmental sustainability. In the area of human rights, the Law looks at empowering women and the girl child education, reducing violence, increasing political vice, ensuring equal access to public services and increasing security of property rights. The Cross River State House of Assembly is passionate about advancing from MDGs and sustaining the legacies of the MDGs decided to go into seeking for an agency that can meet the yearning and aspiration of the Cross River People.
2. Establishment of The Social Housing Scheme: the Cross River State House of Assembly, seeing the challenges many Cross Riverians undergo, decided to pass a Law for the establishment of an agency that will look at the housing problems of the Cross River People. The Law shall be to:
*Ensure that the low income earners own or have access to decent, safe and healthy housing accommodation at affordable cost.
*To also ensure that every household has a house to its own through the provision of more credit or fund.
It has been seen that many civil and public servant retire without owning a house of their own after 35 years of active service. It is due to the vibrant nature of the House that they decided to come out with a bill that will look into the Housing problem of the People of the State.
3. A Law to Prohibit the act of kidnapping in Cross River State: before the launch of this administration there was high level of kidnapping in the State and shooting. It can be recalled that senior citizens of the State have been kidnapped and our waterways very porous due to kidnapping activities and arm robberies especially in Obudu Local government Area. Looking at the challenges and the high rate of insecurity in the State, the Cross River State House of Assembly passed a bill for the prohibition of kidnapping in the State. The Law states that a person who commits the act of kidnapping or abduction shall be liable to conviction to life imprisonment without option or fine. Before now, kidnappers have kidnapped members of the public and gone scot free but with the implementation of the kidnapping Law, it will bring ample security to the State. It is very commendable that the House cares about the security of lives and property of the Cross River People.
4. A Law For the Establishment of Infrastructure Maintenance And Regulatory Agency: The Cross River State House of Assembly passed a bill for the establishment of an Infrastructure Maintenance And Regulatory Agency; upon establishment of the agency, it shall be to regulate the placing of urban furniture including the telecommunication antennae, mast and towers on land or building. Implement rates and fees for permits to erect antennae, mast and towers. It can be recalled that in the past electric poles, telecommunication mast have destroyed homes and the lives and property of the people of the State. Most times there are poorly situated. But with the these Law, it will investigate or cause an investigation into whether any person has vision any provision of the Law. It is highly commendable and timely that the 8th Assembly in her wisdom came out with such a passionate bill.
5. A Law to Provide Equal Opportunities for all Persons: Over the years there has being discrimination of persons in the State. The Law here, seeks to provide equal opportunities and also prohibit the discrimination of persons. It further goes to check mate the problem of discrimination on the basis of sex, age, class, disability or marital status in the State. The Law is timely and I must say the People of Cross River State are very lucky to have an Assembly that thinks about the People.
6. A Law for the Establishment of Water Front Infrastructure Management Agency: The Law looks at protecting and maintaining all waterfront infrastructures, deal with the safety of the waterfront. In recent time, there has been a high level of mismanagement of our territorial waters. Our aquatic produce and also our sand, stones, gravels from waters. The Law will further look at the problem of flooding and erosion on our waterfront. Making our waterfront very serene for tourist activities which will in turn generate revenue for the State.
7. A Law to amend the Environmental Protection Agency Law, 1996: it is a known fact that most of the Laws in the State are obsolete and need to be reviewed. With the amendment of the Law, it shall further look at the protection of the Cross River Environment. Making it a more serene and habitable place to live in. A place free from ravines and erosion. The Law seeks to look at areas of Agriculture, our Airport, Drainage and irrigation, Land reclamation and many more. I must say it is timely, welcoming and of great importance to see that the People of Cross River State are put in the hall mark as one of the States with the best environments in the country.
8. A Law to Provide For the Conventions and Meetings Bureau; Cross River State is a tourist destination for many persons across the globe. It is only natural that the Calabar International Conference Center be put to compete at par with other Conference Centers in Africa. It is in line with this that the 8th Assembly thought it wise that they promote Calabar and Cross River State as a place to hold meetings, facilitate an enabling environment for conferences and congress, conventions and seminars to be held in the State and develop an indigenous and competitive local content for support service. With the Calabar Conference Center, the State can generate a lot of revenue through the establishment. It is in line with the initiative that the 8th Assembly decided to back the center with a Law that will enable it have an established bureau.
9. A Law to Provide for the Establishment of a Child Protection Commission; it is a known fact that over the last few months the State was envisaged with the Scolombo menace. The streets became unsafe for the inhabitants of Calabar and it's environs. But with these Law, it seeks to provide refuge and take full responsibility for the upkeep, education, upbringing and general welfare of vulnerable Children in the State for whom no parent or guardian has assumed full responsibility for. It also seeks to rescue any child roaming the streets or living under harsh or abusive condition. Lest we forget, a child who is hungry is prone to so many social vices. But once these vulnerable children are taken care of, they will add value to the society. I must say I am impressed with the House of Assembly for bringing into Law such a timely bill. A bill that will affect the average child in Cross River State.
10. A Law to Make Provision for the Cross River State Domestication of Corporate Social Responsibility: The People of Cross River State have been jilted by companies who operate in the State. Companies who are meant to add value to the lives to their host communities, instead of appreciate their host communities, they are use them without contributing to the growth and development of their host communities. This Law seeks to address the issue of companies not living up to their corporate social responsibility. It charges the companies to be on a round table with their host communities dailoguing on the needs of the People and seeking how their problems can be addressed.
11. A Law for the Establishment of the Greater Calabar City; in advanced and developed nations, cities are built creating employment and expanding more settlements for people to reside. The greater Calabar project seeks to address the problem of congestion in the Calabar city. By developing neighboring Local governments like Odukpani, Akamkpa and Akpabuyo. The greater Calabar upon establishment shall be made to have recreational facilities and infrastructures that befit a modern city. It is an initiative which will provide employment opportunities for the People of Cross River State and expand more vista of opportunity for the State.
12. A Law to Provide Protection Against Domestic Violence: Domestic violence is very pronounced in Africa and mostly in this part of the world. It is rather pertinent to see a man bullying his wife or a wife attacking her husband with dangerous weapons. The Law also looks at cases of human rights violation of children, the age, young, old and members of the public. The Law seeks to protect the People of the State from domestic violence and other inhuman treatment.
With the above X-ray, I have come up with the submission that the Cross River State House of Assembly is the most vibrant, articulate, sound, savvy and performing Assembly in the country. It is my prayer that the members of the 8th Assembly will keep their candle burning and thrive to bring the best for the People of Cross River State as they journey with the People of the State in the next four years. By making sure the social contract they entered with their constituents is properly and adequately defended.
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a Public Affairs Analyst /Social Commentator
