By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
1 Year Anniversary
The current lawmakers of the Eight Assembly have marked their One Year Anniversary in Office as the members of Anambra State House of Assembly.
Marking the day, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, said he felt honoured to interact with newsmen on the occasion of the One Year Anniversary of the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly which took place on the 12th June, 2024 as the 8th Assembly was inaugurated on that date last year following a letter of proclamation to that effect by the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
According to him, the inauguration marked a further consolidation of the nation’s democracy and opened a new chapter in the practice of government by representation.
‘This stems from the fact that at the centre of every democratic setting is the Legislative Arm of government which forms a complementary tripod of Governance with the executive and judiciary.
‘Essentially, the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly is evidently living up to her legislative agenda. The vision of the 8th State Assembly is to be the best legislature in Nigeria, champion the interest of the people of Anambra State through effective, accountable, independent and responsible representation.
‘The 8th Assembly is also poised to effectively represent Ndi Anambra, enact quality laws and ensure judicious use of the state’s resources in order to promote the well-being of the people.
‘Within the past one year since the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly was inaugurated, one characteristic that can be attributed to the lawmakers is our collective resolve to write our names in the letters of Gold by approaching our legislative duties with vigour, dedication and selflessness in the interest of peace and progress of Anambra State.
‘The House has introduced a lot of reforms to enhance their legislative business such as a series of trainings for legislators, commencement of House Sitting by ten o’clock in the morning, introduction of every Tuesday morning prayer, improved staff relations among others.
‘For posterity sake, it is important to highlight the volume of work and achievements the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly has made within its first one year of inauguration. The present 8th Assembly has been able to enact quality laws and passed numerous people-oriented resolutions emanating from motions.
‘Some of the Bills passed include; Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission Bill; Revenue Administration, Consolidation and Harmonization Bill; Anambra State Touting Prohibition Bill, 2024; Appropriation Bill; Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency Bill; Anambra State Peace Building and Conflict Management Agency Bill and Anambra State House of Assembly Service Commission Amendment Bill.
‘Other important Bills passed by the Assembly are; Anambra State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission Bill; Trafficking in Persons Prohibition, Enforcement and Administration Bill; Secret Cultism and Similar Activities and Prohibition Bill; Private Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery Bill; as well as Anambra State Newspaper and Printing Corporation Repeal Bill; among other Bills that are in various stages of passage.
‘On Resolutions, the present Anambra State House of Assembly has passed over sixty people-oriented and development-driven resolutions that touch all the sectors of the State’s economy. The present lawmakers’ motivation is anchored on prompt implementation of the Resolutions of the House of Assembly by Governor Chukwuma Soludo. This is one of the testaments to the cordial working relationship existing between the legislative and Executive arms of the government which has facilitated to a great measure the overall development of the state, the Speaker stated.
He said that apart from the responsibility of law making, legislators of the 8th Assembly had done well in constituency relations and Oversight Duties.
‘Just a few weeks before the two years anniversary of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Administration, I embarked on a tour of roads in the three Senatorial Zones of the state. I was accompanied by the lawmakers in the respective zones. Deeply amazed by the volume and quality of roads completed and ongoing across the Senatorial Zones, the legislators lauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his giant strides in road infrastructure.
‘We expressed satisfaction that Mr. Governor is judiciously utilizing the state’s budget passed by the House for the good governance of the State, even as he has not accessed the loan facility approved for him by the legislature or borrowed money from anywhere.
‘Individual lawmakers have greatly impacted positively on their various constituents within the one year under review. They have done a lot of Constituency Projects and Empowerment/Scholarship Schemes in their constituencies. Our oversight duties have continued to attract commendations from different quarters. We have through constructive oversight functions contributed immensely towards the repositioning of government ministries, organs and departments for optimal productivity.
‘Collectively as a House, the 8th State Assembly has performed creditably in conflicts resolution. This singular exercise has facilitated an enduring peace and harmony in various communities and among corporate bodies,’ the Speaker said.
