AKHA Passes College Of Science And Technology Bill Into Law

The Bill for the law to establish the Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology in Nung Ukim Ikono, Ikono Local Government Area, has been passed into law by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

The bill, which was brought before the House on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, by the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Ekpo, was referred to the House Committee on Education for further legislative action.

The bill some weeks ago had undergone public hearing and contributions raised by various stakeholders.

Presenting the report at the plenary on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, the Committee Chairman who is the lead sponsor of the bill, Hon. Godwin Ekpo, noted that the bill seeks to restructure the school curriculum and provide full time courses of studies training and research in applied science, technology, business management and other fields of studies approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

According to him, they predicated on the need to actualize the dreams of the present administration to providing a college dedicated for the training of middle and higher technical manpower to mainstream industrial development efforts.

He furthered that they also give backings to the college, access to the intervention funding from Federal donor agencies such as Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), UNESCO, PTDF, amongst others, for its development as well as facilitate foreign sponsorship, scholarship, partnership and exchange of academic programmes in various field of studies.

The House thereafter dissolved into the Committee of the whole and certain observations and amendment were effected toward the passage of the bill and was passed into law to commence from January 1, 2020.

Also a motion on the Proliferation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Sales Outlets within Residential Areas in Akwa Ibom State “A Ticking Time Bomb Waiting to Explode”, sponsored by the Deputy Leader and Member representing Etinan State Constituency, Hon. Aniefiok Dennis was raised.

According to the sponsor, Dennis, that Liquefied Petroleum Gas is a very essential cooking gas that is highly inflammable and that the safety is in it requirement to be sited outside residential areas but that which should be carried out at confirmed locations that might have been authorized by the Petroleum Companies.

The motion was moved and seconded by members. Deliberating on the bill, the member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency, Hon. Otobong Bob, observed that various gas depots located very close to residential areas are dangerous and incase of explosion may affect buildings and loss of lives.

He should be shifted or relocated from such places for safety purposes.

Member, representing Ibiono Ibom, Hon. Godwin Ekpo said the sittings are dangerous if explode will consume residential areas and advised that there should be a clampdown.

Member, representing Nsit Atai State Constituency, Hon. Mark Esset observed that gas stations at petroleum stations should be discouraged.

Member, representing Ibesikpo Asutan, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko averred that similar motion was raised in the 6th Assembly and thanked the State governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel to have discouraged building of filling stations in Uyo Metropolis and other close residential areas and maintained that such action should also be followed by the 7th Assembly.

Member representing Uyo State Constituency, Hon. Anietie Eka; member representing Ikot Abasi State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh; member representing Oron State Constituency, Hon. Effiong Bassey supported the motion among others.

In their resolutions, the Speaker, Hon. Aniekan Bassey, noted that locations of gas depot should be certified by regulating agencies, Fire Service and other safety agencies.

He also stressed that the State Ministry of Environment should ensure that regulations on the operations on gas product are followed accordingly and that license be given to outlets.

Similarly, four bills including, A Bill for a Law to make provision for the Establishment of Administration of Customary Courts and for related matters and a Bill for a Law to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Professional Counseling to Conduct Qualifying Examinations and Regulate the Counseling Profession for Related Matters, sponsored by the member representing Ukanafun State Constituency, Hon. (Dr.) Charity Ido were read the first time.

Others are; A Bill for a Law to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Neighborhood Safety Corps Agency for the Regulation and Control of the Safety Corps Activities, to Assist Security Agencies in maintaining Law and Order in Akwa Ibom State and for other connected matters, sponsored by the member representing Uyo State Constituency; and A Bill for a Law to Protect the Physical Challenged Persons Against Discrimination and other purposes connected therewith, sponsored by Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey, Deputy Speaker and member representing Okobo State Constituency.

Also, the Bill to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Urban and Regional Planning 2019, sponsored by the House Leader and member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Sir) Udo Kierian Akpan passed through second reading and was referred to the House Committee on Lands for in-depth study and necessary actions.

Earlier before the presentation, the Speaker while welcoming members to the 2020 session prayed that God should continue to give them peace, strength and wisdom to enable them succeed in their legislative engagements.