A bill allowing the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to manage money accruing to the assembly from the state’s consolidated revenue funds has been passed.
On Thursday, October 12, 2023, it was passed following the third reading.
The lead sponsor and Deputy Leader of the House, Otobong Bob, clarified that the bill complied with Section 121(3) of the Constitution:
Which mandates that “any amount standing in credit to the State House of Assembly shall be paid directly into the account of the House of Assembly.”
The Deputy Leader emphasized that “there is a need for the state legislature to have financial autonomy in order to discharge its legislative functions effectively”.
Speaking in support of the bill were Chief Whip, Effiong Johnson and Deputy Speaker of the House, Kufre Abbasi Edidem.
They noted that their colleagues in Lagos, Delta, Ebonyi, and a few other states already enjoyed financial autonomy and regarded the bill as appropriate.
The new law, according to the legislators, would provide funding for various purposes.
This includes legislative oversight duties, lawmaking, trainings, and retraining assembly staff members, as well as the lawmakers’ personal and legislative assistants.
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The bill was passed by the Assembly Speaker, Udeme Otong, who also chaired the plenary session.
Mrs. NsikakAbassi Orok, the House clerk, was instructed to convey the document to Governor Umo Eno for his approval.
Daily Post