… As House of Assembly Raises Alarm Over Effect of Perennial Flood in Obot-Idim Community
Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, during Tuesday plenary, allowed for the second reading of the Bill For a Law to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Safety Commission and Other Related Matters, sponsored by Dr Usoro Akpanusoh (Esit-Eket/Ibeno).
Rt. Hon. Bassey hinted that the Bill, if passed and accented to by Governor Udom Emmanuel, will enable the Commission to formulate policies, encourage and promote capacity building of its staff and other appropriate individuals from public and private organizations for safety of life and property and other related safety issues.
“The Commission will set safety standard for all sectors involved and be responsible for the issuance or withdrawal of overall Safety Regulations Certificates at all levels as may be required. The Commission will also conduct investigations, research, evaluations and make recommendation accordingly, and practitioners shall be registered members of Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), the Speaker added.
In his remarks, the lead sponsor of the Bill, Dr Akpanusoh, who was given opportunity by the Speaker to canvass for support from members of the House, said its sponsorship was borne out of the unfortunate incident of Reigners Bible Church, Uyo, in 2017, where the state was thrown into mourning following its collapse.
One of the members, who spoke in support of the Bill, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko (Ibesikpo Asutan), said the Bill was apt and expressed confidence that it will promote safety culture among construction companies and the people of the state.
Others who spoke in favour of the Bill including the Deputy House Leader, Barrister Aniefiok Dennis (Etinan); Hon. Udeme Otong (Abak); Hon. Aniekan Ekah (Uyo); Hon. Asuquo Nana (Ikono), Dr Charity Ido (Ukanafun), said it will ensure checks and balances in project constructions across the state, maintaining that the Commission shall have the powers to clearly set standards and ensure checks and balances in the erection of buildings.”
The Bill was later referred by the Speaker to the joint House Committees on Works and Transport, and Labour and Productivity with a charge for in-depth work and speedy delivery with a month.
Meanwhile, a matter of urgent public importance on the alarming effect of perennial flood in Obot-Idim community due to improper channeling of underground water by construction companies was raised by Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko (Ibesikpo Asutan).
Rt. Hon. Uko, who also informed that the situation has displaced residents from their homes and brought untold hardship to the people of the area, called for immediate intervention by government.
He further urged the House to direct the Ministry of Works to ensure proper channeling of underground water is done and the state government, through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to provide relief materials to affected members of the community.
Before the House was adjourned to September 10, 2019, to allow members embark on a recess in line with the legislative calendar, the Speaker immediately mandated the House Committee on Works and Transport to look into the matter and report same to the House within one month.
