ANAMBRA ASSEMBLY SETS UP PETROLEUM COMMITTEE AS POWER BILL PASSES SECOND READING
REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
The Anambra State House of Assembly has inaugurated its committee on Petroleum and Mineral Resources for effective realisation of the present administration’s objectives in the oil and gas sector.
The committee, which was inaugurated when the House resumed sitting after two weeks break for the Christmas and New year celebrations, has Nonso Smart-Okafor, representing Nnewi North Constituency as Chairman.
The Speaker, Mr. Uche Okafor, said the setting up of the committee followed the establishment of the MInistry by Governor Chukwuma Soludo in line with the new status of Anambra as an Oil Producing state.
He noted that for the present government to do well in its vision for petroleum in the state, there was the need for the state House of Assembly to have a committee that would oversight the ministry for optimal performance.
Mr. Okafor therefore called on the committee members to employ their wealth of experience and ingenuity to help in the realization of the goals for the overall interest of the people.
Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Nonso Okafor, thanked the House for finding him worthy to pilot the affairs of the committee, and gave an assurance that they would collaborate with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to achieve their terms of reference.
The House also appointed Mrs. Beverly Ikpeazu Nkemdiche the Chairman of its committee on Gender and Social Development, which was formerly chaired by Mr. Smart Okafor before his new appointment, while Mr Ejike Okechukwu representing Anaocha Constituency II became the Chairman, House Committee on Education.
Meanwhile, a bill for a law to establish Anambra State Power and Rural Electrification Agency scaled second reading during the plenary.
Presenting the executive bill for the establishment of the Agency, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Emeka Aforka, said the bill when passed would help to address lack of power supply in rural areas and ensure constant power supply in the state.
for his part, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Dr. Paschal Agbodike, noted that the bill when passed would create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Anambra State and guarantee speedy economic development as well as arrest insecurity in parts of the state.
Speaking in favor of the bill, the Chairman House Committee on Public Utilities, Mr. Emma Nwafor and his Ogbaru One counterpart, Mr. Noble Igwe expressed the hope that it would create job opportunities for the youths when it becomes operational.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
