By Iyke Nwachinemere
TODAY’S PLENARY AT THE ABIA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY (18/6/2019).
The house resumed plenary at about 2:10 pm with an opening prayer by the member representing Bende North constituency, Hon. Chukwu Chijioke.
Mr. Speaker made his opening speech afterwards and declared the house open for business.
The proceedings of the last plenary held yesterday the 17th day of June was abducted as a working document of the house after all the necessary corrections in a motion moved by the Majority Leader of the house, Hon. Barr. Solomon Akpulonu and seconded by the Minority leader, Hon. Abraham Oba.
OVERSIGHT.
Mr. Speaker then exercised his power to name a committee which will see to the constitution of various committees for the oversight functions of the house.
He named the committee members to include;
Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji (Speaker) – Chairman.
Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu (Deputy Speaker) – Deputy Chairman.
Hon. Barr. Solomon Akpulonu (Majority Leader) – Member.
Hon. Abraham Oba (Minority Leader) – Member.
Hon. Munachim Alozie (Majority Whip) – Member.
Hon. Ginger Onwusibe – Member.
Chief Johnpedro Irokansi (Clerk of the house) – Secretary.
Next was the order of the day as read out by the Clerk of the house, Johnpedro Irokansi.
The committee constituted yesterday by the house for the screening of the 17 Local Govt Chairmanship designates read their report stating that the nominees were painstakingly screened and recommended them for confirmation by the house. The committee Chairman thanked the speaker and the house for the opportunity given to them to serve.
The leader of the house moved a motion for the report to be adopted as a working document of the house and was seconded by the Minority leader of the house.
OVERSIGHT PLENARY.
Mr. Speaker asked that the Maze be covered to usher in the nominees for the position of the Chairman/Deputy Chairman of the 17 Local Govt in an oversight plenary session.
Hon. Mba Ukaha (Ohafia) and Hon. P. C. Onyegbu were ushered into the house first as former members of the house as it is the standard practice of the house.
Other chairmanship designates were ushered in afterwards and were asked to identify themselves and their representatives.
The chairmanship designates for Osisioma Ngwa, Ukwa West and Isialangwa South were absent due to illness and other issues as the house was informed.
The majority leader, Hon. Barr. Solomon Akpulonu in his advice to the nominees admonished them to always seek the consent of the house in all their financial dealings so as not to be found wanting which according to him will attract sanctions from the house.
Also speaking, the member representing Ukwa East state constituency informed the nominees of the new law as passed by the house and which stipulates that every local govt chairman in Abia state must reside in his local government while in office.
In conclusion, the Speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji tasked them to lay emphasis on; Salary Structure, Pension Structure and Funding for ASUBEB.
The house reversed back to full plenary with the maze uncovered as the Chairmanship nominees and their Deputies were cleared and confirmed in motion moved by the majority leader of the house and seconded by the Minority leader.
The house adjourned to reconvene on the 1st day of July, 2019.
