Abia Assembly Summons 3 Heads Of Agencies, Sets Up Committee To Look Into ASOPADEC

The 7th Abia State House of Assembly commenced plenary on Wednesday, 15th June, 2022 after adoption of Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 14th June, 2022 and was led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Enyinna Orji.

Highpoints of the plenary was the presentation of Matters of Urgent Public Importance by the member representing Aba South State Constituency, Hon. Obinna Ichita who vehemently decried the unfortunate and deplorable state of the state’s health system.

The lawmaker reiterated that it is worrisome that health workers in the state are being owed backlog of salaries and the dysfunctional health centres in the state. He also noted that the loss of accreditation for the College of Medicine, Abia State University, Uturu which has posed a life-threatening challenges to students, parents, and the state in general.

The House Member said it is pertinent that the 7th Assembly look into what he described as “already decayed health system of the state” he said.

Hon. Ichita prayed the House invites in plenary the under-listed state executives to explain to the House why the situation befalling the state under their jurisdictions and the way out.

1. Commissioner for Health

2. Vice Chancellor, Abia State University, Uturu

3. Chief Medical Director, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba.

The House asked the invited persons to appear before the House in plenary on Wednesday, 22nd June, 2022 by 12 noon.

In the same vein, the Member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency moved that the House suspend Order 9, Rule 59 (4) in the Rule Book to allow him present his matter of urgent public importance and the motion was duly seconded by Hon. Obinna Ichita, the speaker allowed him to present his matter.

Hon. Okoroafor reiterated that sometimes in August last year, the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu in exercise of his powers dissolved the Board of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) and appointed a sole administrator to spearhead the commission.

The lawmaker according to the provision of law said that established commission, the tenure of the Sole Administrator appointed by the Governor should only last for 3 months. He emphasized that the Sole Administrator has unlawfully occupied the position.

He noted that the Sole Administrator should vacate the seat immediately and a committee should be set to investigate the activities of the Sole Administrator since the expiration of his tenure.

He also urged the Governor as a matter of urgency, constitute a new board.

After contributions from Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kalu and Hon. Munachim Alozie, the Honourable Speaker said that the House was constituting an Ad Hoc Committee to look into the activities of the Sole Administrator since his tenure expired and it resolution was unanimously accepted by the House.

Members of the Ad hoc Committee are as follows:

1. Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Enyinna Kalu-Chairman

2. Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike-Member

3. Hon. Mike Onyekwere Ukoha-Member

4. Hon. Emeka Okoroafor-Member

The speaker said the constituted members should turn in their report before Wednesday, 22nd June, 2022.

Hon. Solomon Akpulonu, Majority Leader of the House therefore moved the plenary be adjourned to another Legislative Day while Hon. Chukwu Chijioke, Minority Leader representing Bende North State Constituency seconded the motion.

The plenary was therefore adjourned to Tuesday, 21st June, 2022.