In its avowed commitment to ensure adequate food security for its citizens, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly ( AKHA ) has considered for a second reading during today’s plenary a bill for a Law to establish the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency for the Purchase of Bulk Commodities in the State.
The Bill, being an Executive Bill is Sponsored by the Deputy Leader of the House and a two-term member for Nsit Ubium State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob.
The Agency, Rt. Hon.Bob said would be saddled with the responsibility of mitigating the high cost of foodstuff, ensuring food security and sufficiency as well as improving the socio-economic conditions of the population at the grassroots level by delivery of relevant food items at a subsidized rate geared towards poverty reduction in the State.
He explained 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 subsidized rates, collaborate with market associations and unions for proper coordination and supply, 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 in the State as well as advise the government on the best method of distribution and formulate strategies for such.
Rt. Hon. Bob informed the House that foodstuffs to which the law 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.
Lending support to the Bill, the Chief Whip, Mr. Effiong Johnson, and the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kufreabasi Edidem described the bill as people-centered which would have a direct bearing on citizens and bring down the cost and availability of foodstuffs.
Presented before the House also for the second reading was the Bill for a Law to establish the Akwa Ibom State Infrastructure and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency.
After due deliberation, the Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, referred the Bills to the Committee on Agriculture and that of Special Duties for the public hearing to be conducted on the two bills to encourage accelerated passage.
