Last week was a beehive of activities at the Abia State House of Assembly which has come to be known by Nigerians as an Assembly of highly dignified legislative endeavors since the assumption of office of Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji MNSE as Speaker.
Such enterprising legislative processes came to the fore once again when the Assembly in the full glare of the whole world, via its live streaming platforms, conducted its activities in a most impressive manner such that Abians have not stopped talking about it.
From the screening of Commissioner nominees to the Special Plenary held for the delegates of HP+, USAID etc who visited the House as part of activities for the official launching of the Social Health Insurance Scheme in Abia State, Abians were treated to quality debates, motions and prayers by the Lawmakers.
The processes that covered the screening of the commissioner nominees became an instant hit as it got Abians engaged with many talking about the new dawn that the Assembly has become and the Legislative Fresh Air that has been blowing the people such sweet wind.
To most people, they did not believe the quality of questionings and line of reasoning which the lawmakers toed during the exercise which clearly showed that the days of “paddy paddy” type of screening exercise of the past remains a thing of the past as members of the 7th Assembly freely asked the nominees their questions without, let or hindrance, fear or favour.
Although some of the nominees were granted the legislative privilege of taking a bow and exiting the chamber without questioning, this was the case when the beneficiaries’ CVs were not only voluminous in quantity but also copious in experience and results from responsibilities handled in the past. Others who enjoyed the privilege did so in accordance with age long national legislative practices that allow former legislators take a bow and go since their times as lawmakers would have honed them enough for any task in the Executive.
Another event at the Assembly that further confirms that the 7th Abia State House of Assembly is, indeed, an Assembly of the people, by the people and for the people, is the Special Plenary organized for Guests from HP+, Health Practice Palladium, Washington DC, USAID and the State Steering Committee of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), led by Dr Sharma Suneeta, the Global Director of HP+, as part of activities marking the official launching of the Social Health Insurance Scheme in Abia State.
Like the lawmakers observed, it was the first time in the entire history of the State that a Special Plenary would be held for health matters in the State. This is an indication that the Assembly is unreservedly committed to the critical sectors that impact the people directly.
The Speaker stated the RESOLVE of the House on this matter as follows:
1. That the House shall take necessary measures within its Legislative ambit to ensure that Abia State makes significant progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
2. That the House shall collaborate with Development Partners and the Executive to ensure that all Abians access quality, essential and affordable Healthcare Services
3. That the House do lend its unalloyed support to the commitment of the Governor of Abia State to improving Healthcare delivery as he officially launches the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme …
The new Legislative Week starting from Monday, 30th of September, 2019, promises to be another exciting and result-oriented one. As patriotic Abians, let us make this new week count by supporting our Lawmakers always!
Have a great week ahead!
