Hon Onyekwere Mike Ukoha, Member representing Arochukwu State Constituency said the opening prayer.
The plenary commenced after the adoption of Votes and Proceedings of Monday, 7th December, 2020.
Votes and proceedings of Monday, 7th December, 2020, were adopted as a working document of the House in a motion moved by the Leader, Hon. Solomon Akpulonu and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Abraham Oba.
Matter of Urgent Importance
The Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu brought the notice of the House to a communal clash in Okagwe, Ohafia Local Government Area, which resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property, saying the clash was caused by Ezeship tussle.
He prayed the House to prevail on necesssary government agencies and security outfits to intervene in the matter urgently to avert further lose of lives and property in the area.
After contributions by Members present including the Majority Leader, Hon Solomon Akpulonu, Hon Jerry Uzosike among others, the Speaker lamented the fact that such inhumane acts could be unleashed on each other by the concerned communities over tussle for Ezeship, saying that Ezes will go and Ezes will come but brothers should remain brothers and not attack each other so maliciously even up to the point of liking someone. He urged the Commissioner of Police and Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately move in to the area to forestall any reoccurence.
Hon Onyekwere Mike Ukoha, Member representing Arochukwu State Constituency raised another Matter of Urgent Importance concerning how the youths of Asaga and Amanri took laws into their hands, blocking roads and destroying properties after the announcement of the Local Government election results on Saturday by the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), pleading with the State Government to look deep into the root causes of such acts perpetrated by hooligans.
Members present made their contributions after which the Speaker, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji said the House is not in a position to discuss post election matters as there are lawful constituted bodies whose duties are to treat such issues.
While urging the warring communities to sheathe their swords as it is unwise to kill or get killed over election matters, the Speaker admonished the Commissioner of Police to send his men to the affected area to avert any further breakdown of law and order.
ORDER OF THE DAY
Items on the Order Paper which comprises Presentation of the Report of the Joint Committee on Judiciary and Public Utilities on H.A.B.12: The Abia State Power Authority and Power Stations Bill, 2019.
Presentation of the Report of the committee on NDDC/ASOPADEC and petroleum matters on the petition titled “Illegal Excavation of Crude Oil {Bunkering}, Acts likely to Cause a Breach of the Peace at our Oil Palm Plantation Farmland in Igiri-Ukwu Autonomous Community in Ukwa West Local Government Area” were deferred to another Legislative date.
PRESENTATION OF THE 2021 BUDGET BREAKDOWN
The Commissioner for Finance, Dr Aham Uko, was ushered into the hallowed chambers by the Sergeant-at-Arms, after a motion to allow him give a breakdown of the 2021 Budget was moved by the Leader of the House, Hon Solomon Akpulonu and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon Abraham Oba.
But before he started, the Speaker expressed strong reservations over reports that an invitation that was given to the Commissioner for Finance by the House Committee on Health was not honoured, saying under no circumstance will the Assembly under his leadership accept such treatment of any of its Committees. Dr Aham Uko, the Commissioner for Finance promptly apologised over his inability to honour the Committee’s invitation saying the date must have clashed with his meeting of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) in Abuja. He promised to honour the invitation on a new date the Committee may set.
The Commissioner presented the Budget breakdown after which he took questions from some Members present including Hon Solomon Akpulonu, Hon Emeka Okoroafor, Member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency among others.
On his part the Speaker expressed happiness about the work of the Commissioner of Finance and his team, saying, “The Abia State House of Assembly is happy with the work you and your team are doing particularly the implementation of timely payment of salaries and subventions to workers and institutions even though there’s still ample room for improvement.
“We will continue to have a robust relationship with you as long as the trend continues. We will however not hesitate to invite you for explanations and possible actions should the trend be hampered in any way. If there’s anything that will form a cog in the wheel of State progress, do not hesitate to let us know so that we can all help to nip such in the bud.
“Please, continue in the progressive trajectory so that we can all help Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to succeed”, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji said.
H.A.B.37 : The Abia State of Nigeria 2021 Appropriation Bill, 2020 passed its Second Reading and was committed to the committee of the whole.
ADJOURNMENT
The House adjourned its Plenary sitting to 29th of December, 2020.
