TRADITIONAL RULERS LAW AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR STATUTORY BOARDS IN A’IBOM RECEIVES PUBLIC HEARING …billed to strengthen our traditional institution, boards and agencies of government
By evangelist.com.ng, edition, Friday, September 22, 2023. Like, share the link.
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committees on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Inter-governmental, Political and Special Matters, held a public hearing on A Bill for a Law to Make Special Provisions for Statutory Boards in Akwa Ibom State; and for Connected Purposes and A Bill for a Law to Amend the Traditional Rulers Law Cap.155 Laws of Akwa Ibom State 2022 and for Other Matters Connected therewith, at the Assembly Complex, Uyo. The hearing took place on Tuesday, 19th September, 2023.
The Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon (Elder) Udeme Otong, reteraited that Public hearing is essentially a public meeting convened principally to obtain public testimony, inputs, criticism or comments from stakeholders and other invited parties to the process of law making.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon KufreAbasi Edidem, the Speaker said “As you all are aware, public participation is a critical pillar of this democratic system, and one of the major functions of the legislature in modern day democracy is therefore to facilitate and increase its engagement with the public, particularly in terms of law and decision-making process, as well as governance scrutiny in order to promote legislative transparency and accountability.”
The Lawmaker emphasized that the Legislature derives its powers to conduct Public Hearing from the Standing Orders of the State Houses of Assembly, provided under Section 60 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as altered. Public hearing is therefore very important legislative tool in ensuring public participation in law making process and acceptability of the legislation when it is finally passed into law.
“The Bill, which is the reason for this gathering, are Executive Bills generated by the Executive Arm of Government and transmitted to the House by His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno. The first Bill is aimed at establishing a legal framework for according the proper status to our traditional institution in Akwa Ibom State, while the second bill when passed to law shall empower the Governor to ensure all boards and agencies of government works in consonant with the Arise Agenda and for the best interest of the public”, he added.
Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, House Committee Chairman on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Hon. Emem Udom, House Committee Chairman on Inter-governmental, Political and Special Matters, both welcomed all participants for the public hearing. They all expressed the committee’s readiness to work with all relevant stakeholders in putting up a good framework at the Committee level as regards the bills.
