After observing its annual recess, the Abia State House of Assembly today resumed Plenary in earnest with the screening of nine out of the twenty four commissioner nominees sent to it by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. The nominees screened included Gabriel Onyendilefu, Emma Nwabuko, Love Adimogha, Aham Uko, Ezekwesili Ananaba, Solomon Ogunji, Kalu Uduma, Theophilus Ugbaja and Chijioke Madumere
Apart from three former legislators among them who were given the conventional legislative privilege of being asked to “bow and go”, others were grilled by the lawmakers on critical matters affecting the State and how they intend to help the State overcome the challenges if their nominations were confirmed.
However, before the screening started, the Lawmakers took turns to express admiration at the newly renovated House of Assembly describing it as “glorious and a perfect environment for quality legislative output”.
Moving a motion under Personal Explanation, Hon Kelechi Onuzurike led other Members to eulogize the Speaker, Rt Hon Chinedum Orji MNSE, and passed a vote of confidence on him for matching his words with action and providing rare leadership qualities that have put the Abia Assembly in good standing with the people.
“It looks to me, Mr Speaker, that you chose your words very well on the day of your inauguration…the environment is well beautified and we cannot overlook this pleasant development without thanking you for making it happen” Hon Jerry Uzosike said in a motion to second the one earlier moved by Hon Kelechi Onuzurike.
On his part, Hon Ginger Onwusibe commended the Assembly for getting certain government institutions to begin to live up to their responsibilities. He said because of it, Abians are feeling the positive difference now.
The Member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Hon Mike Ukoha, said he was “proud of the Speaker’s leadership. It remains on record that the Abia State House of Assembly’s sterling performance in its first 100 days was everywhere in the media. Mr Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, I am proud to be a Member of this Assembly”, he declared.
Others who spoke in the same vein were Hon Obinna Ichita and Hon Okey Igwe.
Responding, the Speaker thanked his colleagues for their kind words saying the gigantic milestones achieved by the House so far within such a short period of time would not have been possible without their support.
He reiterated his earlier vow that the Assembly would not tolerate any form of circumvention or flouting of its resolutions by anyone whomsoever. “This will not happen under my watch”, he declared.
The screening of Commissioner nominees enters its second day tomorrow, Tuesday, 24th September, 2019.
