The Speaker, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji led Principal Officers into the hallowed chamber.
Hon Solomon Akpulonu, Leader of the House and Member representing Obingwa East State Constituency led the opening prayer.
The Abia State House of Assembly commenced plenary after the adoption of Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 7th June, 2022.
MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
Hon Paul Taribo, Deputy Leader of the House and Member representing Ukwa East brought up a matter of Urgent Public Importance to the House. He said he was particularly saddened because of the plight of workers in the state as it concerns salary payments. The lawmaker said that as of today some workers in the State have not received their month of May salaries and pensioners in the State receive half or no payments at all.
PRAYERS
He prayed that the House should invite the Commissioner for Finance and the Attorney-General of the State to appear before the House and explain to the it why salaries and pensions are either delayed or not paid in some instances.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Francis Uchendu said the issue raised by Hon Paul Taribo is a serious one and should be looked into extensively. He also supported his prayers.
Hon Jerry Uzosike, Member representing Umuahia South State Constituency said he was very sure that some ministries in the State received their May salaries yesterday and explained that the issue bordering on the delay in payment of salaries might be caused by the gridlock that emanates from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) and Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC).
Hon Jerry Uzosike suggested that the Commissioner for Finance and Attorney-General of the State should be invited at the Executive Session of the Honourable Members.
At that point, the Speaker said the Member representing Umuahia South do not have the jurisdiction to proffer to the House where the government officials will be invited.
Member representing Obingwa West State Constituency, Hon Thomas A C. Nkoro said the House need to take a more holistic approach to the issues raised because some workers in the State have not been paid since the last 10 months or more.
RESOLUTION
After contributions to the matter from members, the Speaker, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji said the issue raised is an important one because a worker deserves his wages. He said the House will invite the head of parastatals that are revenue yielding so they will explain to them why they are having difficulties in payment of salaries and to know if they remit the revenue they generate to the government.
He then announced that the House was summoning the Commissioner for Finance, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Accountant-General of the State, and that they are to appear before the House on Tuesday, 14th June, 2022.
ORDER OF THE DAY
Continuation of the Consideration of H.A.B. 57: A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Fifth Alteration of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
After going through the necessary legislative processes and subsequent approval of all the sections of the Bill by the House, H.A.B. 57 was passed into Law.
Other Items in the Order Paper were deferred to be considered on another Legislative Day.
ADJOURNMENT
Hon Solomon Akpulonu, Majority Leader of the House, therefore moved that plenary be adjourned to another Legislative Day.
Hon Kelechi Onuzuruike, Member representing Umuahia North State Constituency seconded the motion.
Plenary was therefore adjourned to Tuesday, 14th June, 2022.
