AKHA Ratifies N700B Appropriation Bill For 2023

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly today Thursday passed the State’s 2023 Appropriation Bill of N700billion, made up of N344.005billion for Recurrent Expenditure and N355.995billion for Capital Expenditure, into law.

The proposed Bill, which amount to an increase of 0.4% of the initial proposed budget size, followed the Report of the Hon. Uduak Odudoh-led House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.

The report recalled that “at the 8th Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Seventh Assembly on Monday, November 7, 2022, Governor Udom Emmanuel presented his Budget address to the Honourable House. At the end of his address, in pursuance of Section 121 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), he laid before the House estimates of revenue and expenditure of Akwa Ibom State for 2023 for consideration. By virtue of Order 8, Rule 1(3) of the Standing Order of the House, the Appropriation Bill 2023 was deemed read the first time.”

After a fruitful Clause-by-Clause deliberation at the Committee of the Whole and Supply, Members unanimously accepted the report and the Appropriation Bill was subsequently passed into Law.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, who presided over the plenary, directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Mandu Umoren, to communicate the position of the House to the Executive Governor for assent.

In another development, the House received a Report on the Amendment of the Standing Orders of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (Sixth Edition).

The Report was presented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges, Barrister Otobong Bob (Nsit Ubium).

The proposed amendment centered on Opening Prayers, Members/Officers/Sitting of the House, Arrangement of Public Business and the Establishment and Jurisdiction of Committees of the House.

Members present at the Thursday plenary included the House Leader, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan (Oruk Anam); the Chief Whip, Otuekong Emmanuel Bassey (Ini); the Deputy House Leader, Barrister Aniefiok Dennis Akpan (Etinan); the Deputy Chie Whip, Otuekong Nse Essien (ONNA); Elder Aniekan Uko (Ibesikpo Asutan); Hon. Effiong Bassey (Oron/Udung Uko); Hon. David Lawrence (Eket), and Prince Idongesit Ntekpere (Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara).

Others were hon. Asuquo Archibong (Urue Offong/Oruko); Dr Charity Ido (Ukanafun); KufreAbasi Edidem (Itu); Obong Godwin Ekpo (Ibiono Ibom); Hon. Ifiok Udoh (Nsit Ibom); Hon. Anietie Eka (Uyo), and Hon. Victor Ekwere (Mkpat Enin).

The House later adjourned its plenary to Thursday, January 5, 2023, at 10.00am.

Press Unit

Office of the Speaker

Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly

Comments

Akwa Ibom Assembly Bans Sign-Out Celebrations, Orders Immediate Enforcement Across Schools

By Asuquo Edem The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has adopted a resolution calling for the immediate prohibition of all forms of sign-out celebrations in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across the state, citing growing concerns over moral decadence, violence, substance abuse and other anti-social behaviours associated with the practice. The resolution followed the consideration of a Motion on Notice sponsored by the Member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, Hon. Udobia Friday Udo, during plenary. Leading debate on the motion, Hon. Udobia argued that while educational institutions are established to promote learning, discipline, moral values and responsible citizenship, the culture of sign-out celebrations by graduating students has increasingly degenerated into activities that undermine these ideals. According to him, what was once intended as a celebration of academic accomplishment has, in recent years, become synonymous with indecent dressin...

Breaking: A’Ibom Governor Removes Two Aides Amid Restructuring, Alleged PDP Links

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has relieved two aides of their duties with immediate effect, the state government announced on Monday. The affected officials are: Joseph Jacob Ikpak, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Support Services Felix Ekuri, Special Assistant to the Governor on Neighbourhood Watch Their disengagement was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Enobong Uwah, who described the action as part of the governor’s ongoing efforts to realign the machinery of government with the Renewed Hope and ARISE Agenda. The statement did not provide further details on the circumstances leading to their removal. However, it was gathered from multiple political sources that the decision may be linked to the aides’ alleged association with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The claim has not been officially confirmed, and the government has not commented on the speculation. Political analysts no...

Tragedy at Ikot Ekpene General Hospital: Akwa Ibom Governor Orders Probe Into Maternal Death

By Asuquo Edem UYO – A tragic incident at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, has sparked public outrage after a young mother and her newborn reportedly died following a caesarean section, prompting Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State to order an immediate high-powered investigation. A disturbing video of the grieving family began circulating on social media over the weekend, drawing widespread condemnation and raising fresh concerns over maternal mortality in the state. Moved by the incident, Governor Eno expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, to convene a commission of inquiry comprising medical and legal experts. The panel is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and recommend preventive measures. In a dramatic move, Dr. John led a midnight team of officials from the Ministry of Health to the hospital for an on-the-spot preliminary investigation, gathering firsthand testimonies f...

The Empire Naija

Search This Blog