New Abia Deputy Governor Calls For Strong State Legislatures
New Abia State deputy governor and immediate past Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Ude Oko Chukwu, has pledged to abide by the provisions of the constitution, as they apply to deputy governors.
He spoke during an interaction with journalists at the Speaker’s Lodge in Umuahia.
Speaking at the valedictory session of the Abia State House of Assembly held in his honour and to mark the end of the 5th Legislative Assembly, Chukwu called for full financial and administrative autonomy for state legislatures. He told the lawmakers that this autonomy would enhance their performance and advised incoming lawmakers to put the state first before their political parties so that the state reaps the best from them.
Oko Chukwu who served as lawmaker for Ohafia North Constituency for three terms of twelve years before his elevation as deputy governor, commended members of the outgoing 5th State Legislature for their diligence and team work, which he said enabled them to pass 47 out of the 74 bills before them into law, leaving 27 at different stages of consideration for passage. According to him, the Executive initiated 54 of the 74 bills while 20 were initiated as Private Member Bills, adding that the House also passed 28 Motions and 171 Resolutions during its tenure.
His words “ we have done well in our individual and collective efforts towards advancing and enhancing the fortunes of our constituents and constituencies through people-oriented legislations of which the glaring evidences abound. The issue of full financial independence for the legislature cannot be over-emphasised if the institution is to be strengthened as the bulwark of democracy.”
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1 Comments
The heart and soul of any vibrant democracy is in the legislature. I agree with the deputy governor.
We will review and take appropriate action.