AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE HON. SPEAKER CROSS RIVER STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, RT. HON ETENG J. WILLIAMS TO MARK THE END OF THE SECOND LEGISLATIVE YEAR OF THE 9TH ASSEMBLY OF THE HOUSE (11TH JUNE 2020 - 10TH JUNE 2021

 

PROTOCOL

Ladies and Gentlemen 

The Press

Today Friday 11th June, 2021 marks the second anniversary of the 9th Legislature of the Cross River State House of Assembly having been inaugurated on Thursday, 11th June, 2019. It therefore gives me great joy to observe that we as a House have remained committed to our Oath of Office and Allegiance to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by making Laws for the peace, order and good governance of our dear State. This commitment has been exemplified by the quality of Bills passed, Motions and Resolutions taken and the openness of the House to public participation within the ambit of our Laws.

This will not have been possible if Honourable Members and Staff had not exhibited the spirit of unity and oneness of purpose. I therefore wish to thank all Honourable Members for their various contributions and sacrifices either in Plenary Session or Committee that culminated in the achievements we seek to present to the public today. 

Again, the support the House received from other Arms of Government, Executive and Judiciary particularly the Governor His Excellency Senator Prof. Ben Ayade KSJ who in his wisdom has given the Legislature a free hand to perform its constitutional duty without any hindrance or interference. This is one aspect of our uniqueness as a State and has guaranteed love, harmony and peaceful coexistence among the citizens.

SECOND LEGISLATIVE YEAR IN RETROSPECT

The second Legislative Year has not been without major hiccups. The COVID-19 Pandemic and destruction caused during ENDSARS Protest forced the State to cancel the glamorous Christmas and Carnival activities. This was not an easy decision for the House but it reflected the realities of the time. I am sure this year will be better in view of the normalcy, in sociology-economic activities being pursued by the State Government. 

Again, the House witnessed the sudden death of one of its members, Hon. Godwin Akwaji Member for Obudu State Constituency. The loss of this vibrant and erudite legislature was not only painful but left the House in quandary.

However, all is not lost as his replacement, his wife Hon. Maria Akwaji is living up to expectations and is performing wonderfully.

Lastly, issues of autonomy for the Legislature and Judiciary as provided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) could not be resolved and ended up in a stork action which is still on-going. Cross River state House of Assembly will not be take any unilateral action but will continue to away the outcome of on-going negotiations as championed by a conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) 

SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE SECOND LEGISLATIVE YEAR (11TH JUNE 2020 - 10TH JUNE 2021)

Bills Passes - 7 

Motion Taken - 3 

Matters of Urgent Public Interest - 2

Confirmation of Appointments - 4

Public Explanation - 1

Public Petitions  - 1

Resolutions Taken - 12

Bills Passed 

1. Cross River State Legislative House and Fund Management Bill 2020 - Passed Thursday 18th June, 2020

2. Cross River State Appropriation (Amendment) Bill 2020 - Passed Tuesday, 28th July, 2020

3. Cross River State Due Process and Price Intelligence Bureau for Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill 2020 - Passed Tuesday 1st September, 2020 

4. Cross River State Polytechnic Bill 2020 - Passed Wednesday 9th Dec. 2020

5. Cross River State Appropriation Bill 2021 - Passed Tuesday 29th Dec. 2020

6. Cross River State Bureau of Statistics (Amendment) Bill 2021 - Passed Tuesday, 2nd March, 2021

7. Cross River State University Bill 2021 -

MOTIONS TAKEN

1. Motion calling on the State Government through the Office of the Auditor General for Local Government to as a matter of urgency look into the situation of the Pensioners whose names have been removed from the payroll on the grounds that they are ghost pensioners - Thursday, 27th August, 2020

2. Motion calling on the Cross River State Government to investigate the increasing fire incidents in Marian Market - Wednesday, 16th September, 2020

3. Motion calling on the Cross River State Government and its agencies to suspend the year 2020 Christmas and Carnival and related activities - Thursday 19th Nov. 2020

MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE 

1. Crisis between Biakwon and Biajua Communities of Abo Ward in Boki Local Government Area - 18th June, 2020 

2. A matter bothering on the ENDSARS protest leading to vandalizarion of public and private property in the State and calling on the Cross River State Government to constitute a Panel of Enquiry - Tuesday, 17th Nov. 2020

CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS

1. Confirmation of 2 additional Members of the State Privatization Council - Thursday 18th June, 2020

2. Confirmation of Chairman and Members of the Cross River State House of Assembly Service Commission - Tuesday, 29th Sept. 2020

3. Confirmation of Hon. Justice Akon Ikpeme as Chief Judge of Cross River State - Thursday 28th January, 2021

PUBLIC EXPLANATION 

1 Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo - Special Envoy on Gulf of Guinea Commission - Wed. 2nd September, 2020

CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMMES

Hon. Members and selected staff attended two capacity building workshops organised by KONARD ADENAUER STIFTUNG, one of our very reliable development partners. The first held in Nike Lake Resort, Enugu between 21st and 22nd October, 2020. The second was in Ibom Icon Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from 21st to 23rd April, 2021.

Let me use this opportunity to thank and appreciate Konard Adenauer Stiftung for the support it has given to the Cross River State House of Assembly since 2002. This support has improved the overall management of the House processes both in and out of the Chamber.

We pride ourselves as being one of the best House of Assembly in the Country in respect of our application of standard legislative practices and procedure. It is also worthy to note that our Law making process have remained inclusive and open to public engagement. This is the product of the various trainings review courtesy of the above organization. 

Going forward we intend to broaden the training programmes for the Assembly beyond Konard. Already, talks are on-going with National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies and National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru Jos to handle specific areas of our training needs.

WELFARE OF MEMBERS AND STAFF 

The welfare of Hon. Members and staff remained a priority in the period under review. Statutory salaries and allowances including running cost were paid without fail. 

Similarly, the Administration Block of the Assembly was rehabilitated to give Hon. Members decent offices. It is important to note that the rehabilitation exercise was extended to other Blocks within the Assembly. 

At the official residential quarters, provision of alternative power supply and water remained uninterrupted in the last 12 months. However, other challenges that have been witnessed like collapsed fence are being addressed to guarantee security.

Also, we have in collaboration with the Nigerian Police and other security outfits been able to provide a 24 hours security in the quarters and complex.

GOING FORWARD

As we March into the third Legislative year, it is my prayer and fervent wish that the Cross River State House of Assembly will remain indivisible, strong and committed to the service of the state. In so doing we will ensure that the people remain at the centre of our work. We shall also support Government policies and programmes with enabling legislations. Specific attention will be given to the following thematic areas:

1. Effective representation through regular engagement of citizens

2. Human welfare 

3. Job creation 

4. Youth and women empowerment 

5. Infrastructural development 

6. Provision of quality wealth and education 

7. Creativity and entrepreneurship development 

And to ensure that there is value for money spent by Government, sustained oversight of MDAs shall be carried out every quarter and reports presented/published accordingly.

I therefore call on Civil Society Organisations, Youth and Women Organisations, Cross Riveraians to partner with the House to enable it achieve the above objectives.

CONCLUSION 

Before I conclude this address permit me to commend His Excellency Senator Prof. Ben Ayade KSJ for his ingenuity in putting together “Operation Akpakwu”

This security outfits has brought back life to the people of Cross River State. Kidnapping and armed robbery including other misdemeanour have been reduced to the barest minimum. The Cross River State House of Assembly therefore salute the Heads and men of all Security Agencies in the State, the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Civil Defence Corps and DSS for their commitment in providing the much needed security in the State. The House therefore calls on all citizens particularly community leaders to collaborate with the security agencies in making sure that criminality in the state is confined to history books.

Thank you and God bless Cross River State.