Plenary Proceedings of the Abia State House of Assembly for Wednesday, 25th September, 2019

It is Wednesday, 25th September, 2019.

Welcome to a new Legislative Day at the Abia State House of Assembly.

The Sergeant-At-Arms ushered the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu, and other Principal Officers, into the hallowed Chamber of the Abia State House of Assembly.

The Member representing Obingwa West State Constituency, Hon Barr Thomas Nkoro, led the prayer for the commencement of the House sitting at Exactly 12:36pm.

Observations and Adoption of VOTES and PROCEEDINGS of Tuesday, 24th September, 2019.

The Speaker asked House Members to check Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 24th of September, 2019.

“Distinguished Colleagues, you are welcome to today’s Special Plenary Session this 25th Day of September, 2019, to mark the official launching of the Social Health Insurance Scheme in Abia State.

“Before we proceed, as usual, may we go through the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 24th of September, 2019.

Majority Leader of the House moved the motion to adopt the VOTES and PROCEEDINGS while the Minority Leader seconded it.

The Speaker announced that the House of Assembly would have in audience guests from USAID, HP+, Health Practice Palladium, USAID Mission Nigeria and State Steering Committee of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.

MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE, PERSONAL EXPLANATION,PETITIONS.

The Lawmaker Representing Isiukwuato State Constituency Hon. Emeka Okoroafor brought a Petition over the job being done by Setraco on some roads in Isuikwuato.

The Speaker committed the Petition to the Committee on Local Government saying the House committee on Public Petitions would be announced next week.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

The Clerk of the Abia State House of Assembly, Sir John Pedro Irokansi, read the Orders of the Day as follows:

(1) Special Plenary Session to mark the official launching of the Abia State Social Health Insurance Scheme by the State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.

The Majority Leader of the House, Hon Solomon Akpulonu, moved a motion that the House dissolves into Special Session with the mace covered to usher the guests into the Chamber. The Minority Leader, Hon. Sir Abraham Oba, seconded the motion while the House responded in the affirmative.

The Sergeant-At-Arms thereafer ushered in the Visitors from USAID and HP+ etc.

The guests introduced themselves before the ABIA State House of Assembly.

Speaking about the Project, Head of the Team said the Universal Health Insurance Coverage has been embraced by several Countries which would give the vulnerable access to health care.

Responding, the House Committee Chairman on Health said the House of Assembly is the first House to have a Special Plenary for the Health Insurance Scheme. This, according to him, demonstrates the seriousness the House attaches to the people’s health.

Member for Arochukwu, Hon. Mike Ukoha, also spoke in the same vein.

The Speaker in his remark said the State Government is mindful of the fact

“All Abians are encouraged by this intervention by availing themselves to the universal health coverage. The Assembly on its part has passed the Abia State Health Insurance Law 2017.

“We also wish to acknowledge the help and active support of USAID courtesy of the Government of USA in this regard.

“Based on the foregoing, the House do hereby resolve as Follows.

(1) That the House shall take all necessary steps to ensure that Abia State makes progreas in this regard.

(2) That the House shall collaborate with the Executive on this issue

(3) That the House shall collaborate with Development Partners and the Executive to ensure that all Avians access quality, essential and affordable Healthcare Services

(4)That the House shall show appreciation to the Government of United States of America.

The Speaker put the Resolutions into Vote and the House unanimously responded in the affirmative.

At this point, the guests made their exit.

The Leader of the House, Hon. Solomon Akpulonu, thereafter moved a Motion that the House revert back to full Plenary after the exit of the guests while the Minority Leader, Hon.Abraham Oba, seconded it and the House responded in the affirmative when the Speaker put the motion into Vote.

Back to full Plenary, the Speaker reported what happened at the quasi-Plenary and the House adopted the report as read by the Speaker.

The Clerk Read the next Item on the Order Paper which was ADJOURNMENT.

The majority Leader however moved a motion that the Order Paper be amended to Include the Confirmation of the Screened Commissioner Nominees before adjournment while the Minority Leader seconded it and the House confirmed it when the Speaker put the Motion into Vote.

The Speaker then went ahead to read out the names of the Screened Commissioner Nominees.

After Voting for the Confirmation of the screened Commissioner nominees, the 22 of them already screened were all confirmed as Commissioners of the Abia State Executive Council.

They are:

Hon. Chimaobi Ebisike.
Chief John J. Okoro.
Mrs Ojo Loveth Adimoha.
Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe.
Hon. Ugbaja Theophilus Odionyemfe.
Mr. Onyema Nwachukwu.
Sir G. C. Onyendilefu.
Chief Emeka Ikwuagwu.
Hon. D. K. Uduma.
Barr. Ekele Nwaohammuo.
Chief Mrs Ukachi Constance Amala.
Hon. Prince Ezekwesili.
Dr. Solomon Ogunji.
Chief Ikpechukwu Onuoha.
Prince Okoli Daniel Iheanacho.
Barr. Suleiman Ukandu.
Dr. Aham Uko.
Hon. Chijioke Madumere.
Dr. K. C. K Nwangwa.
Chief Mrs Uwaoma Olenwemgwa.
Dr. Joe Osuji.
Hon. Emma Nwabuko.

Mr. Speaker congratulated the confirmed commissioners and thanked his colleagues for their contributions in making the exercise a success.

The Clerk of the House then read the next item in the Order Paper which was Adjournment.

The Majority Leader, Hon. Solomon Akpulonu, moved the motion that the House adjourn Plenary to resume on Monday the 30th Day of September, 2019. The Minority Leader, Hon. Abraham Oba, seconded the motion while the House confirmed it after the Speaker put the motion up for voting.