By Victor Nwegede
Individuals and groups have started asking, why Ebonyi State House of Assembly approved over four billion Naira for second phase of palliative distribution to the citizens of the state even when the lockdown brought by the COVID-19 in the country has been eased.
NATIONAL PANEL learnt that the fund was approved on Thursday by the State Assembly and this is meant to procure the second phase palliative materials to be distributed in the state in December 2020, the Christmas time.
The House has equally approved two billion Naira loan for the procurement of strategic equipments towards the completion of the ongoing Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital Uburu.
We also learnt that the approved two billion Naria for the teaching hospital would enable the state government secure a soft loan from the United Bank for Africa (UBA) to facilitate the project.
All the funds approved were affirmed after the House's emergency sitting in line with the request made by the state Governor, David Nweze Umahi to enable him provide Ebonyi people with their pressing needs.
According to the Leader of the Hose, Rt. Hon. Victor Chukwu, the funds approved would go a long way to help people recover from the effects of the global dreaded disease.
He said, "despite the eased lockdown order, people are yet to recover from the effects of the pandemic, and that's why the governor deemed it necessary to avail another set of paliatives especially in view of the Christmas season, always holds in December."
Chukwu noted that Ebonyi State Government had distributed paliatives across the state few months ago to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Majority Leader, who was part of the distribution exercise, affirmed that it was transparently done, adding that the forthcoming distribution in view of December shall as well be transparent and devoid of party affairs.
The Lawmaker stated that the House members saw the economic importance of the fund approved for the ongoing College of Medicine, Uburu and had no other choice than to support the Governor to actualize the project.
"The project is an investment for the state. The health facility is going to be one of its best in the country when completed. The economic important can't be over emphasized, and that's why the members of the house supported the motion in other to facilitate the completion of the project for the benefit of the state and other Nigerians", he hinted.
Recall that Ebonyi State House of Assembly has tackled bills on health, environment, land and market development.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House, Comrade Leo Ekene Oketa in a statement said, all scaled second reading and the Speaker of the state Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nwifuru has called for the public hearing on bills as the House proceeded on two months recess beginning on few days ago.
The statement read: "Health, environment, market development and land matters were all on the front burners as Honourable Members of Ebonyi State House of Assembly convened for plenary Tuesday, October 6th 2020.
"These human interest issues were the highlights of the Bills debated by the Honourable Members in a usual eventful and productive legislative atmosphere, overseen by the Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
"The Order of the Day saw a Bill for a Law to Establish Ebonyi State Maternal and Perinatal Surveillance and Response Scheme, pass second reading. Indulging members on the need to support his Bill, the Member Representing Ivo Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Health, Hon. Mazi Oliver Osi noted that this Bill will provide for proper research and record taking to check and mitigate perinatal issues in the State.
"In supporting the Bill, the Chairman House Committee on Education, Hon. Christian Usulor (Ezza South) suggested that more research be conducted to ensure that no Law in the State houses maternal and perinatal matters.
"On environment, A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Control, Regulation, Enforcement and Governance of Ebonyi State Response to Climate Change and to introduce a system for the measurement, reporting and verification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Ebonyi State, scaled through second reading.
"Reacting in the affirmative to the Bill, the Deputy Leader of the House and Member representing Afikpo North West Constituency, Hon. Kingsley Ogbonna Ikoro observed that though many live in denial of the fact of Climate change, it is a matter that affects our daily lives.
"Market Development Board Bill was debated as well and the Leader of the House Hon. Victor Uzoma Chukwu and the Chairman House Committee on Security, Public Petition, Justice and Judiciary - Hon. Barr. Linus Friday Nwuhuo spoke on how this Bill will send the economy of the State further in the upward trajectory.
"In wrapping up the robust discussions on the floor of the House, the Honourable Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly called on the various committee chairmen overseeing the Bills to ensure they invite the public for hearing on the Bills at their various committee levels. This will encourage citizen participation for proper legislation.
"Two other Bills on Land Instrument Preparation and Land Instruments Regulation also passed second reading.
"Having exhausted all in the order of the day, the House adjourned and proceeded on a 2 months recess to reconvene on December 7th, 2020."
Nevertheless, the House plenary has featured debates by the Honourable Lawmakers and a Bill for a Law to establish Ebonyi State Maternal and Perinatal Surveillance and Response Scheme and for other matters connected thereto, being HAB No 021 of 2020.
NATIONAL PANEL reports: It is a private member Bill sponsored by Hon. Mazi Oliver Osi (Ivo Constituency), seeking to check and mitigate perinatal issues in Ebonyi State.
A Bill for a Law to provide for the Control, Regulation, Enforcement and Governance of Ebonyi State Response to Climate Change and to introduce a system for the measurement, reporting and verification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Ebonyi State and for other matters connected thereto, being HAB No 018 of 2020.
A Bill for a Law to provide for Ebonyi State Market Development Board and for other matters connected thereto. This Bill seeks to set up proper regulation of market activities in the State, ensure good economic environment for traders and scale up the State’s economy.
A Bill for a Law to Repeal and Re-enact a Law to Establish Land Instruments Preparation in Ebonyi State and other matters connected thereto.
-A Bill for a Law to Repeal and Re-enact A Law to Establish Land Instruments Regulation, Filling of Judgement affecting Land in Ebonyi State and other matters connected thereto.
These Bills scaled through second reading and have been committed to various House Committees for further legislation. The Committees were mandated to invite the general public for hearing at their committee levels.
Hon. Mrs. Lilian Chinwe Nwachukwu (Ohaozara East) presented a Bill for a Law to Amend Ebonyi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, to Incorporate the Ebonyi State Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Policy, being HAB No 022 of 2020. Reactions loading.
Post a Comment