The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams, says a total of seven bills, three motions, twelve resolutions, four matters of public importance and four confirmations were received for legislative actions in the last one year.
The Speaker, who disclosed this at a press conference on Tuesday in Calabar to mark the second anniversary of the 9th State House of Assembly, said the second Legislative Year has not been without major hiccups. The COVID-19 Pandemic and destruction caused during ENDSARS Protest.
The Speaker listed the seven bills passed by the House to include, the Cross River State Legislative House and Fund Management Bill 2020, the Cross River State Appropriation (Amendment) Bill 2020, the Cross River State Due Process and Price Intelligence Bureau for Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill 2020.
Others are, the Cross River State Polytechnic Bill 2020, the Cross River State Appropriation Bill 2021, the Cross River State Bureau of Statistics (Amendment) Bill 2021 and the Cross River State University Bill 2021.
The Speaker also highlighted other achievements of the Ninth Assembly, challenges and projections for the future.
“Honourable Members of the ninth Assembly and selected staff attended two capacity building workshops organised by KONARD ADENAUER STIFTUNG, one of our very reliable development partners. The first held in Nike Lake Resort, Enugu between 21st and 22nd October, 2020. The second was in Ibom Icon Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from 21st to 23rd April, 2021.
These trainings have improved the overall management of the House processes both in and out of the Chamber. We pride ourselves as being one of the best House of Assembly in the Country in respect of our application of standard legislative practices and procedure”, he stated.
The Ninth Assembly, according to him, decided to improve the aesthetics of the Assembly by rehabilitating the Administration Block and other blocks within the Assembly, to provide a decent working environment for Members and staff. At the official residential quarters, provision of alternative power supply and water remained uninterrupted in the last 12 months. He noted that other challenges that have been witnessed like collapsed fence are being addressed to guarantee security.
Rt. Hon. Eteng Willaims used the occasion to thank the state governor, His Excellency Senator Prof. Ben Ayade KSJ for his ingenuity in putting together “Operation Akpakwu”, saying; “This security outfits has brought back life to the people of Cross River State. Kidnapping and armed robbery including other misdemeanour have been reduced to the barest minimum.
Moving forward into the third Legislative year, the Speaker assured that the Cross River State House of Assembly will remain indivisible, strong and committed to the service of the state.
“In so doing we will ensure that the people remain at the centre of our work. We shall also support Government policies and programmes with enabling legislations.
And to ensure that there is value for money spent by Government, sustained oversight of MDAs shall be carried out every quarter and reports presented/published accordingly”, he said.
In conclusion, The Speaker called on Civil Society Organisations, Youth and Women Organisations, Cross Riveraians to partner with the House to enable it achieve the above objectives.
