Use your position to attract conventional fed varsity , effect repair of fed roads, Abia speaker urges NASS members * As Onyejeocha promises to jettison party differences to move state forward

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Use your position to attract conventional fed varsity , effect repair of fed roads, Abia speaker urges NASS members

* As Onyejeocha promises to jettison party differences to move state forward

By Steve Oko

Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji has urged members of the National Assembly from the state to use their privileged position to attract a conventional federal university to the state.

The Speaker who made the appeal during a joint session with the federal lawmakers at the floor of the state House of Assembly, noted with concern that there isn’t enough federal presence in Abia.

This is coming amid growing agitation to convert the only federal tertiary institution in the state, the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike into a conventional university to accommodate the surgining demand for tertiary education.

Efforts by the immediate -past management of the institution under the watch of Professor Hilary Edeoga to expand the programmes of the institution into non specialised fields were frustrated by the federal Ministry of Agriculture which has shut down every non agric-related course in the institution.

According to a release by his Chief Press Secretary, Jude Ndukwe, the Speaker who also expressed concern over the deplorable condition of federal roads in the state urged the federal lawmakers to take advantage of the ongoing budget defense to effect the rehabilitation of the roads.

His words :”Now that the Budget process is in progress, it is expedient that we urge you to use its instrumentality to attract federal government presence to our dear state.

” The following federal roads in the state need urgent rehabilitation/reconstruction: Aba – Ikot Ekpene Road, Umuahia – Ikot Ekpene Road, Uzuakoli – Ohafia – Arochukwu – Akwa Ibom Road, Umuahia – Bende – Arochukwu – Akwa Ibom Road and Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway”, he said.

He also urged the federal lawmakers to attract a conventional federal university to the state.

“The need for a conventional federal university and a federal secretariat in Abia is long overdue. We urge you to use your good offices to make it possible in the nearest future”.

The Speaker in his welcome address at the first ever joint session of the state and federal legislators further solicited the support and cooperation of members of the national assembly to help move the state forward.

He stressed the need for synergy between the state assembly and members of the national assembly from the state despite their party affiliations to fast-track development of the state.

Hon. Orji noted that the special session which was in honour of federal legislators from the state was meant to foster mutual relationship between the two chambers.

“This special session is in tandem with the legislative blueprint of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly”, he said, emphasizing “the necessity to synergize with our Senators and House of Representatives Members of Abia origin on issues of national importance and mutual benefits geared towards moving our dear state forward and providing the citizenry with dividends of democracy”.

Responding, the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Honourable Nkiruka Onyejeocha (APC) thanked the Speaker and Members of the Abia State House of Assembly for the honour done them with the special plenary.

She pledged to work with all relevant stakeholders, irrespective of party differences, for the progress of Abia and the general good of her people.

According to the Isuikwuato /Umunneochi federal constituency lawmaker, the event was a strong indication that federal and state lawmakers from the state can actually work together irrespective of their party differences.

“Your invitation to us across party lines is an indication that we can work together as Abians. As a member of APC, I hereby promise not to antagonize the Governor and government of Abia State but to criticize them constructively whenever the need arises”.

On his part, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, congratulated the Abia Speaker and his colleagues on the “superlatively remodeled” Assembly complex, promising that, as lawmakers at the federal level, they would do everything within their powers to address the numerous issues afflicting the State using necessary legislative instruments.

The former Deputy Governor advised the state lawmakers to remain focused on their job and resist pressures from detractors.

He also urged them to be alive to their legislative oversights no matter whose ox is gored.

“This Assembly has to collaborate with the Governor to move the state forward. If, for example, a road collapses after just three months of being constructed, you summon the Commissioner responsible and ask them questions to which they have to provide answers. That is what is expected of the Assembly in the discharge of their oversight functions. If you need any support from us, we are ready to give it to you”, he said.

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Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.