Akwa Ibom bulk purchase agency bill passes second reading

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Bill for a law To Establish Akwa Ibom Bulk Purchase Agency for the purchase of bulk Commodities to reduce the high cost of foodstuff in the state passed the second reading in the House of Assembly.

The Executive Bill was introduced at plenary on Tuesday by the Deputy Leader of the House and member for Nsit Ubium State Constituency, Mr Otobong Bob. 

Bob said the bill when passed into law would be saddled with the responsibility of mitigating the high cost of foodstuff in the state.

According to him, the bill would ensure food security and sufficiency as well as improve the socio-economic conditions of the population at the grassroots level by delivery of relevant food items at a subsidised rate geared towards poverty reduction in the state. 

He added that the bill is targeted to ensure adequate food security for Akwa Ibom citizens and all residents.

He stated that the Agency which would have the Governor as the chairman would purchase relevant food items in commercial quantities and sell the same at its various depots at subsidised rates.

He added that the sales of the commodities would be in collaboration with market associations and unions for proper coordination and supply.

The deputy leader said that the bill would help to formulate long and short-term policies for the purchase and sale of food items in the State, control and monitor the distribution and sale of food items as well as advise government on the best method of distribution.

Bob informed the House that foodstuff to which the bill applied include; garri, rice, beans, melon, wheat, millet, guinea corn, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, yam, maize, palm oil, salt, seasoning cubes, groundnut, groundnut oil, beverages and livestock. 

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Kufreabasi Edidem described the bill as people-centred, which would have a direct bearing on citizens and bring down the cost and availability of foodstuff. 

After due deliberations, the Speaker, Mr Udeme Otong, referred the bill to the Committee on Agriculture for further legislative action and directed that a public hearing be conducted on the bill to ensure accelerated passage.

Also at plenary, the House of Assembly urged the Executive to implement and ensure full enforcement of the Child’s Rights Act, to preserve the wellbeing of Akwa Ibom children.

This was the Assembly’s resolution following a motion of urgent public importance on the need to stop school-age children from loitering and hawking during school hours.

The motion, which was sponsored by the Deputy Chief Whip and Member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency, Mr Sampson Idiong expressed displeasure over school-age children hawking during school hours.

“Aware that the Akwa Ibom State Government as a way of reducing the rate of out-of-school-children, in 2008 domesticated the Child Right Act, which provides for children’s right to education.

“In recent times, the number of school-age children involved in loitering and street hawking during school hours has been on the increase, especially within the Uyo metropolis and its environs due to the visible economic hardship in Nigeria.

“The education monitoring team of the State ministry of education and relevant boards, intensify efforts on regular routine spot-checks to all public schools, in a bid to ensure that teachers stay in their classes as at when due, to avoid loitering during school hours,” he said.

After due consideration, the Speaker directed the Clerk, Mrs NsikakAbasi Orok, to write to the state Gov.Umo Eno on need to ensure the enforcement of the Child’s Right Act in the state.

Meanwhile, the House has adjourned plenary to reconvene on February 27.