Lawmakers of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, for the umpteenth time has rejected the planned building of a nuclear power plant in Itu Local Government Area or any part of the state.
At Tuesday plenary, the House resolved that no part of Akwa Ibom land should be released for the purpose of building a nuclear power plant.
The resolution followed a motion brought before the House by the Member representing Itu State Constituency, Hon. Kufreabasi Edidem who said that the project does not conform with international standards guiding the implementation of civil nuclear programs across the globe.
He said despite warnings from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Nigeria lacks the technical competence to handle nuclear issues, and the rejection of the project by the 6th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the National Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) has not relented in its decision to proceed with the nuclear project in Itu LGA.
"The 6th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly through a motion moved by Rt. Hon. Nse Essien, Member representing Onna State Constituency, rejected the planned nuclear power plant, urging the Federal Government to instead of the dangerous venture, explore other available and harmless sources of power in the state, including increasing the capacity of the Ibom Power Plant."
He further cited constant emission of radioactive radiations, discharge of non-biodegradable radioactive wastes, absorption into ecosystem and food chain, as some dangers Akwa Ibom people would be exposed to, if the nuclear power plant is cited in Itu LGA or any other part of the state.
The Speaker, while responding, commend Hon. Edidem for the timeliness of the Motion and urged the Clerk to communicate the resolution of the House to the appropriate quarters.
In a related development, the House passed the Bill to Eliminate Violence in Private and Public Life, Prohibit All Forms of Violence Against Persons and to provide Maximum Protection and Effective Remedies for Victims and Punishment for Offenders and Other Matters Connected Therewith into law.
Similarly, the House also passed into law, A Bill to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Bureau of Public Procurement and Budget Monitoring for the Conduct of Public Procurement in the State and for Other Matters Connected Therewith, while A Bill for a Law to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Parks and Gardens Agency and for Connected Purposes, sponsored by the Member representing Nsit Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Ifiok Udoh, scaled through First Reading and was referred to the House Committee on Culture and Tourism.
The House was adjourned to Thursday, February 13, 2020.
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