The Abia State House Of Assembly on Tuesday passed the bill H.A.B 27, the Abia State Ministry Of Finance (Incorporated) Bill, 2024 into law.
The Bill which is sponsored by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu is for a Law to Establish the Abia State Ministry of Finance (Incorporated) and for other matters related thereto underwent all the necessary legislative processes before its passage into law.
In his lead debate during the second reading of the Bill at the floor of the House, Hon. Uchenna who is also the Majority Leader of the house explained that the bill became necessary especially in this present time where States all over the federation are requested to look inward in order to expand their revenue base.
He further explained that the bill will enable the Finance Ministry to engage in and carry out commercial transactions of any kind in its name and on behalf of the State which will in no doubt lead to the increase in the revenue base of the state.
He concluded by saying that the bill when passed into law will place the responsibility of managing government’s investment on behalf of the Ministry and urged his colleagues to give the bill their maximum support.
The Bill enjoyed the support of members of the house and was thereafter passed into law.
The bill when assented to by the Governor would be deemed to have come into force today November 26, 2024
Also during plenary the house entertained a Matter of Urgent Public Importance by the member representing Ohafia North State Constituency, Hon. Mandela Obasi over drugs adverse effects that happened in his constituency on Saturday November 23rd, 2024.
According to Hon. Mandela Obasi, over hundred people suffered Adverse Drug Reactions resulting from the consumption of drugs distributed by a Donor Agency called Imo-Hope for the Hopeless and attracted by the Presbyterian Church, Abiriba.
He explained that the aim of the Foundation was to make a positive contribution to the lives of the people but unfortunately it turned out to be a life threatening crisis.
Hon. Mandela urged the State Government through the Ministry of Health to investigate who the Donor Agency is and where they sourced their drugs. He also appealed to the government to investigate if qualified health practitioners were involved in the exercise and who they were.
The lawmaker however appealed to the Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti to come to the aid of the affected people in order to settle some of the medical bills as most of them are poor villagers.
Abia Assembly Passes Ministry Of Finance Bill Into Law is first published on The Whistler Newspaper