The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze says 21 bills, 62 motions and more than 70 resolutions, reports from committees has scaled through in the past one year.
Rt. Hon. Udeze while interacting with House of Assembly Correspondents on Monday, commended the present Anambra lawmakers on the achievements and the journey soo far.
The Speaker revealed that in the past 12 months, the present lawmaker’s have achieved more in one year compared to
the previous houses of Assembly in Anambra State.
Speaking on the challenges faced by the 8th assembly, the Speaker said, having 23 new elected members hindered the speedy take-off which prompted the organising of training, retreat and workshops for the lawmakers so as to equip them to perform their duties.
On the relationship between the legislators and the executive, Udeze said its project Anambra and it has reflected on the bills and motions passed, stating that the 8th assembly will continue to supportive the administration of Governor Soludo.
On reforms, Udeze said the lawmakers have continue to think outside the box, using the anti-touting law as example. He said a monitoring committee has been setup to support the executive in balancing the IGR of the state.
Rt. Hon. Udeze revealed that the 8th assembly have seven lawyers which is an added advantage and as such, a committee was set-up to review other laws passed by previous house so as to avoid having similar laws.
According to the Speaker, 11 out of the 21 bills passed by the 8th assembly, came from the executive and that some of them have been approved by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Udeze stated that the 8th Assembly despite having four different political parties, comprising of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) with seventeen members, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) with two members, Young Progressive Party (YPP) with three members and Labour Party (LP) with eighth members, are united.
The Speaker maintained that the legislative agenda has guilded the assembly through making laws that will touch the lives of ndi Anambra.
” From day one, we all knew that we were working for ndi Anambra, regardless of the party we belong.
” Improved working environment are part of the reforms and also starting plenary early.
” The 8th assembly is not rubber stamp.
Fighting with the executive will not benefit ndi Anambra that is why we have a cordial relationship with the executive.
“The modalities on the authonomy of the House of Assembly is ongoing and soon a board will be set-up.
“Governor Soludo believes in doing things in a way that has not been done before and the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly is evidently living up to her Legislative Agenda.
“The vision of the 8th State Assembly is to be the best Legislature in Nigeria, champion the interest of the people of Anambra State through effective, accountable, independent and responsible representation.
“The 8th Assembly is also poised to effectively represent Ndi Anambra, enact quality laws and ensure judicious use of the State resources in order to promote the well-being of the people.
“Within the past one year since the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly was inaugurated, one characteristic that can be attributed to the lawmakers is our collective resolve to write our names in the letters of Gold by approaching our Legislative duties with vigour, dedication and selflessness in the interest of peace and progress of Anambra State.
“The House has introduced a lot of reforms to enhance their Legislative Business such as series of trainings for legislators, commencement of House Sitting by ten o’clock in the morning, introduction of every Tuesday morning prayer, improved staff relations among others.
“For posterity sake, it is important to highlight the volume of work and achievements the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly has made within its first one year of inauguration.
“The present 8th Assembly has been able to enact quality laws and passed numerous people-oriented Resolutions emanating from Motions.
“Some of the Bills passed include; Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission Bill, Revenue Administration, Consolidation and Harmonization Bill, Anambra State Touting Prohibition Bill,2024 Appropriation Bill, Health Facilities Monitoring And Accreditation Agency Bill, Anambra State Peace Building And Conflict Management Agency Bill and Anambra State House of Assembly Service Commission Amendment Bill.
“Other important Bills passed by the Assembly are; Anambra State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission Bill, Trafficking In Person Prohibition, Enforcement And Administration Bill, Secret Cultism And Similar Activities And Prohibition Bill, Private Colleges Of Nursing And Midwifery Bill as well as Anambra State Newspaper And Printing Corporation Repeal Bill among other Bills that are in various stages of passage.
“On Resolutions, the present Anambra State House of Assembly has passed over Sixty people-oriented and development-driven Resolutions that touch all the sectors of the State economy.
“The present lawmaker’s motivation is anchored on prompt implementation of the Resolutions of the House of Assembly by Governor Chukwuma Soludo. This is one of the testaments to the cordial working relationship existing between the Legislative and Executive Arms of the Government which has facilitated to a great measure the overall development of the State.
“Apart from the responsibility of law making, legislators of the 8th Assembly have done well in Constituency Relations and Oversight Duties. Just few weeks before the two years anniversary of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, i embarked on tour of roads In the three Senatorial zones of the State.
“I was accompanied by the lawmakers in the respective zones. Deeply amazed by the volume and quality of roads completed and ongoing across the Senatorial zones, the legislators lauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his giant strides in road infrastructure.
“We expressed satisfaction that Mr. Governor is judiciously utilizing State’s budget passed by the House for the good governance of the State,even as he has not accessed the loan facility approved for him by the Legislature or borrowed money from anywhere.
“Individual lawmakers have greatly impacted positively on their various constituents within the one year under review. They have done a lot of Constituency Projects and Empowerment/Scholarship Schemes in their constituencies.
“Our oversight duties have continued to attract commendations from different quarters. We have through constructive oversight functions contributed immensely towards the repositioning of government ministries, organs and departments for optimal productivity.
“Collectively as a House, the 8th State Assembly has performed creditably in Conflicts Resolution. This singlar exercise has facilitated an enduring peace and harmony in various communities and among corporate bodies.
“As the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly celebrates one year anniversary, we are thankful to God who has led us thus far in our legislative engineering.
“We are equally commending Governor Chukwuma Soludo for transforming the House of Assembly Complex into a modern edifice with massive reconstruction of the entire complex, offices as well as the ongoing landscaping of the premises.This is to ensure that the lawmakers operate in a more conducive environment.
“I express gratitude to Ndi Anambra for appreciating the work and achievements of the House in the last one year. I also thank the Press for giving the House the much needed publicity and co-operation.
“To the Clerk and Staff of the Legislature, you are wonderful and I appreciate your hard work and dedication to duty.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I solicit prayers and support of the entire citizenry to enable the 8th State Assembly record more accomplishments in the remaining years”.
Angel Network News (ANN) recall that on June 12, 2023, the 8th assembly was inaugurated after which the standand committees of the house and the principal officers were selected.
