Also speaking in favour of the bill, Deputy Speaker of the House, KufreAbasi Edidem, and the Chief Whip, Effiong Johnson, described the bill as apt, saying that their colleagues in Lagos, Delta, Ebonyi, and a few other states were already enjoying financial autonomy.
The lawmakers said the new law would, among other things, ensure the availability of funds for legislative oversight functions, lawmaking, training, and re-training of assembly staff, including personal and legislative aides of the lawmakers, among others.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Udeme Otong, who presided over the plenary session, passed the bill with the directive for the clerk of the House, Mrs NsikakAbasi Orok, to forward it to Governor Umo Eno for assent.
The lead sponsor of the bill and Deputy Leader of the House, Otobong Bob, explained that the bill was in fulfillment of constitutional provisions as contained in Section 121(3), which states that “any amount standing in credit to the State House of Assembly shall be paid directly into the account of the House of Assembly.”
He said, “There is a need for the state legislature to have financial autonomy to enable it to discharge its legislative functions effectively.”
Supporting the bill, Deputy Speaker KufreAbasi Edidem and Chief Whip Effiong Johnson both expressed their endorsement of the legislation, highlighting that several other states, including Lagos, Delta, and Ebonyi, have already implemented financial autonomy for their legislatures.
They emphasized that the new law would ensure the availability of funds for various essential purposes, such as legislative oversight functions, lawmaking activities, and the training of assembly staff, including legislative aides.
Udeme Otong, the Speaker of the Assembly, presided over the plenary session and directed the House Clerk, Mrs. NsikakAbasi Orok, to transmit the bill to Governor Umo Eno for his assent.
