Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones
Peter Bassey|6 September 2016
The beauty of legislative process lies in harmonizing the synergies of the three arms of government, through enacting laws that are in line with the people's needs, thus rendering good governance. From a holistic perspective, this process is usually rigorous as it require time, energy and focus in understudying the concept, principles and tactical presentation at different stages. For instance, the stages involved for a public bill to become law may include: Notice of Motion for first reading, First Reading, Second Reading, Committee Stages, Committee of the Whole Review, Third Reading vis-à-vis Assent and Proclamation.
Thus, for the 8th Cross River State House of Assembly (CRSHA) led by Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo to have passed the highest number of bills after Lagos State House of Assembly (which I intend unvail in my next article) deserves an applause by well meaning Cross Riverians.
The CRSHA complex which houses 25 members, is situated in a tightly enclosed old-fashioned building, that architecturally does not behooves the members therein. Though its reminds me of the saying "do not judge a book by its cover" It is my opinion that to whom much is expected, much should be provided for.
One admired and outstanding egg head in the Assembly is Rt. Hon. Jones Williams. The member representing Yakurr 2 State constituency. Who also doubles as Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, and the Special Adviser to the Speaker. This simple but well vested phenomenon is an architect of modern legislation in Cross River State. He has contested four elections within the span of one year and has won all of them. Lost out completely from the assembly proceedings for about Six months due to his re-election bids, yet he has the highest number of bills and reports credited to his name in this 8th Assembly.
X-raying some of Hon. Williams sponsored bills, with majority already passed into law, one can authoritatively argue that these bills are sensitive enough to bridge the gap between the government and the governed, hence bringing to the people the dividends of democracy.
There include;
BILLS SPONSORED
1. Cross River State Infrastructure Fund Bill 2015.
2. Greater Calabar City Development Authority Bill 2015.
3. Cross River State Tax Exemption (low income earners) Bill 2015.
4. Cross River State Revenue Administration (Amendment) Bill 2015.
5. Cross River State Portside Development Agency Bill 2016.
6. Cross River State Homeland Safety and Security Agenych Bill 2016.
CO-SPONSORED BILLS
1. CRS Local Government Harmonized Levies Fees and Charges Law 2015.
2. A law to amend the Cross River University of Technology law 2008.
3. CRS Private Education Institutions Regulatory Board to Regulate the Activities of Private Schools.
4. A Law to Amend the CRS Road Infrastructure Maintenance Levy and Related Matters.
5. A Law to Prohibit the Act of Kidnapping in CRS and the Committing of any Act as an Explicit or Implicit Conditions for the Release of a Person Kidnapped.
6. A law to make provision for the CRS sustainable Development Goals Agency.
7. A law to make provision for the CRS Domestication of Corporate Social Responsibility.
8. A law to make provision for the establishment of the CRS infrastructure Fund.
9. A law to establish the CRS environment and carbon emission board.
10. A law to establish the consumer protection agency.
11. A law to provide for the establishment of commercial agriculture agency.
12. A law to make provision for the establishment of the CRS House of Assembly Service Commission.
13. A law to establish CRS safety commission.
14. A law to provide protection against domestic violence and for connected purpose.
15. A law to provide for the establishment of of a child protection commission in CRS.
16. A law to amend the CRS corporate social responsibility agency law 2015.
COMMITTEE REPORT
1. Report of the finance and appropriation committee on CRS infrastructure fund bill.
2. Report of the finance and appropriation committee on CRS environment and carbon emission bill 2016.
3. Report of the finance and appropriation committee on CRS tax exemption (low income earners) bills 2015.
4. Report of the finance and appropriation committee on a report for house resolution in support of bailout loans to state.
5. Report of the finance and appropriation committee on a bill for how to make provision for the establishment of the CRS infrastructure fund and for matter connected therewith.
6. Report of the finance and appropriation committee on CRS revenue administration (amendment) bill 2015.
7. Report of the finance and appropriation committee on CRS appropriation (Amendment) bill 2015.
Bravo Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones Williams. History will remember you for engineering legislative process for the betterment of your people.
Peter Bassey
Writes From Calabar
