By Mfonobong UKPONG
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed into law a bill seeking to prohibit all forms of violence against persons and to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims of domestic violence and other related matters.
The bill tilled; ‘Akwa Ibom State Violence Against Person Prohibition Bill, 2018 was passed, Tuesday by the House following the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Social Welfare and Special Matters by the lawmakers. The bill which is sponsored by the member representing Etinan state constituency in Hon. Aniefiok Dennis, intends to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons and to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders among other matters.
Submitting the Committee’s report, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Social Welfare and Special Matters, Princess Felicia Bassey said her Committee’s findings and observation from the interaction with relevant stakeholders on the matter shows that the bill would provide a stronger and more proactive response and support for all violence related issues in the state.
“It will also strengthen advocacy against rape, female genital mutilation and cutting, partner battery, stalking, harmful widowhood practices by state actors, prohibit all forms of violence against persons, while providing maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders”.
The bill was read the third time and passed into law by the lawmakers following a motion moved by the Deputy Leader of the, Rt. Hon. Barr Ime Okon (Ibiono Ibom State constituency) and seconded by the member representing Abak state constituency, Rt Hon Friday Iwok.
Reacting, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Barr Onofiok Luke thanked the sponsor of the bill, Chairman of the House committee on Women Affairs and Deputy Speaker of the House, as well as the entire members of the legislature for their painstaking effort in ensuring the smooth passage of the bill.
“Let me thank the Honourable members of this House of Assembly for the efforts you have put to ensure that this bill is passed into law”.
Meanwhile, the House has proceeded of a recess which is inline with the legislative calendar of the legislature as practiced the world over. The Assembly would resume plenary for another legislative year on 4th September, 2018.
