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A’Ibom State Council on Climate Change Bill Scales Second Reading at AKHA
A’Ibom State Council on Climate Change Bill Scales Second Reading at AKHA
A bill seeking for a law to establish the Akwa Ibom State Council on Climate Change, has passed second reading on the floor of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
Titled; Akwa Ibom State Council on Climate Change Law 2024(HAB-362), sponsored by the Deputy Chief Whip of the House,Prince Sampson Idiong who is also the member representing Oruk-Anam State Constituency with 14 other co-sponsors, the bill scaled for second reading during Tuesday plenary.
Leading debate on the general principles of the bill, the lead sponsor, Prince Idiong, highlighted that the idea of the bill is to domesticate in Akwa Ibom State, the National Climate Change Act which provides a framework for mainstreaming climate change actions and other related matters.
The Oruk-Anam lawmaker, argued that it was high time Akwa Ibom joined the rest of the world in mitigating the negative effects of climate change by consciously embracing actions that would enable the attainment of zero climate change effects in the State.
Lending their voices in support of the bill, the House Leader , Rt. Hon. Barr. Otobong Bob, Deputy Leader of the House, Dr. Nsidibe Akata, representing Eket, Hon. Moses Essien, representing Ibiono -Ibom, Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey, representing Okobo, described the bill as apt and timely, considering the threat posed by Climate change which is altering the eco-system.
Hon. Nsidibe Akata, member representing Eket State Constituency/Deputy Leader
The lawmakers opined that Akwa Ibom should have the necessary machinery put in place to protect the ecosystem from the harmful effects of climate change.
They agreed that there was need for an enabling law to ensure that Akwa Ibom aligns nationally and globally as State in this regard.
Reacting, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. ( Elder) Udeme Otong, refered the bill to the House Committee on Environment for indepth -study, mandating the committee to conduct public hearing on the bill and report back to the House in a month’s time.
Also at plenary, a bill for law to establish the Akwa Ibom State Institute for Legislative Studies and Advancement(ILSA) sponsored by the member for Ibesikpo Asutan, Hon. Pastor. Ubong Attah, scaled first reading.
The bill which was read by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mrs NsikakAbasi Orok, was referred to the Committee on Rules, Business and Ethics for rescheduling.
Meanwhile, the House of Assembly has adjourned plenary to reconvene on Tuesday 5th August, 2025.
Press Unit,
Office of the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA).
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