Abara Etop
The Cross River State House of Assembly has granted the State Government’s request for the appointment of seventy (70) more Special Advisers to add to the earlier number of (70) approved by the House in December, 2019, to assist in the performance of Government functions.
In the exercise of powers conferred on the Governor and in line with sections 196(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the correspondence, addressed to the House, dated, 20th Feb. 2020 and signed by Secretary to State Government.
The House in a motion, taken by the leader, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, seconded by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Fred Osim, unanimously resolved to grant consequential approval base on the the House earlier decision to the Governor through writing, on the need to make a request to cover other Constituencies not yet considered in the appointments, as well as informing the House of the total number of Special Advisers, that he requires.
Meanwhile, the bill for the “Cross River State Consumer Protection Agency 2020” has passed through second reading in the floor of the House.
The sponsor of the bill and Member representing Etung State Constituency, Hon. Chris Njah Mbu-Ogar, said the bill intens to regulate, control as well as monitor the profits intention of the producers against the final consumer without quality.
Mbu-Ogar, noted that the excesses of fake and expired products in the State, which have dominated our markets, needs to be put on proper checks.
One of the co-sponsors and the Member representing Ogoja State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, in his submittion, maintained that Cross Riverians die daily as results of what is consumed, noting that the bill seeks to protect what we consumed.
Others co-sponsors and members who contributed to the bill, stressed that it will check the altitude of food Vendors from exposing food publicly, selling along dirty gotters as well as those making Cross River State a market for substandard products.
The bill also advocated the protection of Cross Riverians aganst defaulters on social contracts and other related matters thereof.
Members futher observed that the Consumer Protection law passed by the Federal Government is not doing enough in the State and however called on the State Government to engage the services of people of proven integrity and technical experience to manage the Agency for optimal results.
The bill was there after committed by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams to the Committee on Health, with a mandate to report back in two weeks.