…as A’Ibom Assembly resumes sitting, dissolves standing committees
The bill for a law to establish the Akwa Ibom State School of Health Technology for the training of various health professionals in the state and other matters connected therewith, Tuesday passed second reading on the floor of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
The bill seeks to provide an enabling law to back the 28-year old state-owned tertiary health institution established in Etinan.
Opening debate on the general principles of the bill, the House Leader and lead sponsor of the bill, Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan said there was need for the House to give maximum legal backing to the state’s School of Health Technology.
“We are looking at how we can develop our mid-level man power, equip and train them to compete favourably with other parts of the country and the world over. This school as it is, can only award certificates; so if this bill is passed into law, it would be empowered to award diplomas, and it will also enable the school to access funding from donor agencies”.
Lawmakers all spoke favourably in unison, calling for accelerated action on the bill in order to strengthen the healthcare sector in the state for effective service delivery. Member for Ikono, Rt. Hon. Victor Udofia argued that the bill further demonstrates the commitment of the sixth assembly to the enhancement of the wellbeing of the citizenry.
“This bill falls within the category of bills I would describe as quality bill, because health is key to the wellbeing of the citizenry. No government would want to play politics with health. There is need for us to give this bill speedy passage”, Hon. Udofia said.
Also contributing, the member representing Ukanafun, Hon. Otobong Akpan said “I am supporting this bill because it has to do with the health of the people. We must help to prevent the school from losing accreditation”.
Rt. Hon Ime Okon (Ibiono-Ibom) said “the School of Health Technology in Etinan is one of the most important health institutions in Akwa Ibom State”, thereby requiring full legislative supports.
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Felicia Bassey, Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong, Deputy Leader, Hon. Aniekan Bassey, Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Otuekong Nse Essien, Hon. Mark Esset among others, commended the House Leader for the initiative, and assured of their support for the bill. They opined that it was necessary to give the school all the needed supports it deserves as an institution for manpower development and research in the healthcare sector.
Reacting, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke commended members for their support for the bill, and re-stated the commitment of the House to the strengthening of the healthcare sector in the state. He noted that the contents of the bill was in line with the legislative agenda of the sixth assembly.
The Speaker said the House has “set a legislative agenda for this sixth assembly and part of that agenda is strengthening healthcare delivery in the state”.
Meanwhile, the Speaker has announced the dissolution of all standing and special committees in the House.
He said this was in line with the need to re-energize the House for optimum performance through the committees”. Relying on order 9 of section 2 of the standing orders of the House, the Speaker announced a selection committee to report back to the House in 2 weeks.
The House Tuesday resumed sitting after a prolonged recess occasioned by the massive renovation work within and outside its chambers.
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