Welcome to another Legislative Day in the 7th Abia State House of Assembly.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji led Principal Officers into the hallowed chamber.
Hon Emeka Okoroafor, Member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency led the opening prayer.
The Abia State House of Assembly commenced plenary after the adoption of Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 14th June, 2022.
MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
The Member representing Aba South State Constituency, Hon Obinna Ichita brought up a Matter of Urgent Public Importance to the House decrying the unfortunate and pitiful condition of the state’s health system
Hon Ichita said it is worrisome that health workers in the state are being owed backlog of salaries with many health centres in the state dysfunctional and the highest point of the problem is the loss of accreditation for the College of Medicine, Abia State University Uturu (ABSU).
He said it was exceptionally urgent that the House looked into what he described the already decayed health system of the State.
PRAYERS
Hon Obinna Ichita prayed that the House invites in plenary the following persons to explain to the House why the situation is like that and find possible ways out of the situation:
a. Commissioner for Health
b. Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu
c. Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba
RESOLUTION
After contributions from Hon Paul Taribo, Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu, Hon Aaron Uzodike, Hon Solomon Akpulonu, Hon Chukwu Chijioke, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Francis Uchendu, Hon Godwin Adiele and Hon Jerry Uzosike, the Speaker said the matter before them was a straightforward one which should be looked into extensively.
The Speaker therefore adopted the prayers of Hon Obinna Ichita and said the House was extending invitations to the following persons:
a. Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba
b. The state Commissioner for Health
c. Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu
d. Chairman of the Joint Action Committee of Medical Unions in Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba.
The invited persons are to appear before the House in plenary on Wednesdays, 22nd June, 2022 by 12 noon.
MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE (2)
Hon Emeka Okoroafor, Member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency moved that the House suspend Order 9, Rule 59 (4) in their Rule Book to allow him present his matter of urgent public importance.
In a motion moved by Hon Emeka Okoroafor which was seconded by Hon Obinna Ichita, the Speaker allowed him to present his matter.
Hon Okoroafor said sometime in August last year, the Governor of the State in exercise of his powers dissolved the board of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) and appointed a Sole Administrator to head the commission.
He said according to the provision of the Law that established commission, the tenure of the Sole Administrator appointed by the Governor should only last for 3 months.
He further said that the Sole Administrator has illegally and unlawfully occupied the position.
PRAYERS
a. That the Sole Administrator should vacate the seat immediately and a committee should be set to investigate the activities of the Sole Administrator since the expiration of his tenure.
b. That the Governor as a matter of urgency, constitute a new board
RESOLUTION
After contributions from Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu and Hon Munachim Alozie, the Speaker said the House was constituting an Ad Hoc Committee to look into the activities of the Sole Administrator since the expiration of his tenure.
Members of the Adhoc Committee are as follows:
a. Rt Hon Chikwendu Enyinnaya Kalu – Chairman
b. Hon Kelechi Onuzuruike – Member
c. Hon Mike Onyekwere Ukoha – Member
d. Hon Emeka Okoroafor – Member
The Speaker said the constituted members should turn in their report before Wednesday, 22nd June, 2022.
Other Items on the Order Paper were deferred to be considered on another Legislative Day
ADJOURNMENT
Hon Solomon Akpulonu, Majority Leader of the House therefore moved that plenary be adjourned to another Legislative Day.
Hon Chukwu Chijoke, Minority Leader and Member representing Bende North State Constituency seconded the motion.
Plenary was therefore adjourned to Tuesday, 21st June, 2022
Courtesy: Media Unit, Office of the Rt Hon Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly.
