. . . As House Passes Bill for Law to Establish State Leisure Parks, Street Beautification Agency
By Abuchi Onwumelu
The Chairman House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Economic Planning and Foreign Donors and member representing Anaocha I State Constituency, Honourable Ebele Leonard Ejiofor, has given a 2week ultimatum to the construction firm saddled with the responsibility of constructing classroom blocks at Innoma, in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State to carry out the projects.
Hon. Ejiofor gave the ultimatum while supporting the motion for adjournment. He called on the Construction Firm handling the construction of class room blocks at Udeama Community Secondary School, Innoma, Anambra West Local Government Area to complete the project as scheduled.
The lawmaker who gave the name of the construction firm as Isong Neri Consulting Ltd said the company had been mobilized and paid the sum of 10,727,753.35 with the outstanding balance of 4,597,608.58, adding that the total contract sum was 15,325,361.93k
Meanwhile, Anambra Assembly during the plenary passed a bill for a law to establish the Anambra State Leisure Parks and Streets Beautification Agency and to provide for other related matters.
The bill which was sponsored by the Executive Arm of Government was passed during last Tuesday plenary.
Fides reports that the bill was designed to establish the Anambra State Leisure Parks and Street Beautification Agency that would carry out the general directives and policies of the State Government in respect of the development, maintenance and management of parks, recreation centres, gardens, play grounds and open spaces in the state.
Giving further explanation to the bill, the Majority Leader, Dr. Nnamdi Okafor revealed that the Agency shall prescribe fees to be paid by any member of the public for the use of these facilities, state the permitted hours for its use and specify types of development to be made on open spaces in the parks and facilities to be provided there, among others.
For his part, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Culture and the member representing Aguata II State Constituency, Hon. Okechukwu Okoye said the bill provided that any person or corporation or body found felling or trimming trees in the state without obtaining the required permit from the Agency, spitting, urinating or defecating in any area of the parks, gardens or open spaces among others shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine of not exceeding fifty thousand naira or one year imprisonment.
The Chief Whip and member representing Dunukofia State Constituency, Hon. Lawrence Ezeudu who described the bill as apt noted that it would promote aforestation in the state, just as the Speaker of the House, Right Honourable Uche Okafor expressed confidence that the Anambra State Leisure Parks and Streets Beautification Agency bill when signed into law will create employment opportunities for the youths and generate more income for the state.
