Gov Eno Assents Bulk Purchase, Assets Management Agency Bill
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, today, signed the Bulk Purchase Agency and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency Bills recently passed into law by the State House of Assembly.
Speaking during the Enlarged State Executive Council meeting at the EXCO Chambers, Governor Eno commended the leadership of the State House of Assembly for working to expeditiously pass the two bills.
The bulk purchase bill, as the governor has been saying, is a response by the government to the high cost of staple food items in the nation arising from some economic challenges currently being felt by Nigerians across social strata.
The governor had stated that “this is an intervention exercise, and the only way we can mitigate the suffering of our people is to directly intervene. We believe the best vehicle for such intervention is to set up an agency that will do a direct intervention in the market and get staple food items to our people at a reduced price. That is what the bulk purchase agency seeks to address.
“Let me again emphasise that this is an intervention exercise and not a permanent solution. The permanent solution is to return to the farm.
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“That is why we will soon set up an agriculture committee that will support our people with seedlings so they can return to the farm.
“This committee will work tirelessly to ultimately make our staple food items available in a drastically reduced price range.
“The second bill seeks to create the State’s Assets Register, different and separate from the Akwa Ibom State Road and Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency (AKROIMA), which, as the name implies, is essentially for road maintenance. We have to develop a strong maintenance culture. We can’t allow our assets to deteriorate.
“This bill also seeks to create an occupational safety department, in line with what is obtained elsewhere.”
The signing of the bills was followed by a presentation of the key element of the Bulk Purchase Agency, which is the food voucher by the SSA on ICT Matters, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong.
Massive publicity on the workings of this process will be further enhanced in the coming weeks.
All over the state, the people have commended and celebrated Governor Umo Eno for his people-centric initiatives, especially at this time of severe economic stress among Nigerians.
