Abia State House of Assembly Plenary for Monday, 16th November, 2020

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The Abia State House of Assembly today commenced Plenary after the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Monday the 9th Day of November, 2020, as a working document of the House.

The Speaker read a letter from the Auditor General of Abia State detailing the audited reports of the COVID-19 account of Abia State for the year ended 31st August, 2020.

The Speaker committed the letter to the House Committee on Public Accounts for further deliberation.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

The Lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency, Hon Ginger Onwusibe, invited the House to the commissioning of his pet project, a mini stadium he built for his constituents. The commissioning ceremony is billed to hold on the 16th Day of December, 2020.

NOTICE OF PRESENTATION OF BILL

H.A.B 34: The Abia State of Nigeria 2020 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, sponsored by the Majority Leader, Hon Solomon Akpulonu.

With the Motion of the Majority Leader, the Bill was allowed to pass its First Reading.

The House amended its Order Paper to accommodate the Second Reading of H.A.B 34: The Abia State of Nigeria 2020 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2020.

In leading the debate, the Majority Leader said the Bill, when passed into Law, will enable the State make provision for expenditures not captured in the original Budget.

After contributions from the lawmakers, the Speaker committed the Bill to the House Committee on Appropriation for further legislative work with one week mandate to turn in its report.

(3) H.A.B 33: The Abia State Homeland Security Watch Bill, 2020 (A Bill for a Law to Establish the Abia State Homeland Security Watch and for other matters connected therewith) sponsored by the Majority Leader, Hon. Solomon Akpulonu.

In leading the debate, the Majority Leader said the Bill was a meritorious that seeks to enhance community policing in Abia State.

“This Bill seeks to repeal the Abia State Vigilantee Group Law Number 8 of 2002.

“Mr Speaker, this time round, we are talking about community policing, this Homeland Security will comprise of three arms.

“This Bill will create jobs for our teeming youths”, he concluded.

After contributions from the Lawmakers, the Speaker committed the Bill to the House Committee of the whole for further legislative action.

(4) H.A.B 30: The Abia State Water and Sewage Sector Development Bill, 2020 ( A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Regulation of the Abia State Water and Sanitation Sector and for other matters connected therewith).

In leading the debate, the Majority Leader, Hon Solomon Akpulonu said the Bill seeks to ensure the Provision of potable water in the State.

He pleaded with members of the House to wholeheartedly support the Bill for accelerated consideration and speedy passage.

After contributions from the Lawmakers, the Speaker referred the Bill to the House Committee on Public Utilities for further legislative action with one week mandate to report back progress.

(5) H.A.B 28: The Abia State Public Procurement (Amendment No.1) Bill, 2020. A Bill for a Law to Amend the Abia State Public Procurement Law No. 5 of 2012 and for other matters connected therewith) sponsored by the Majority Leader.

The Bill passed Second Reading.

In leading the Debate, the Majority Leader said the Bill is to amend the previous Law to allow it be in line with the United Nations guidelines.

“Mr Speaker this is a Due Process Law and what this Bill seeks to achieve include the e- Procurement platform and it is a prerequisite for Abia State to get grants” he said.

The Majority Leader urged his colleagues to Support the speedy passage of the Bill.

After contributions from Lawmakers, the Speaker committed the Bill to the House Committee of the Whole for further Legislative work on a future legislative date.

ADJOURNMENT:

With the Motion by the Majority Leader, the House adjourned Plenary to Resume back on Tuesday 17th November, 2020 at 10am.

Courtesy: Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly.