The seventh Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey as the Speaker, has remained very active in addressing issues of public concern in the polity through exciting deliberations, not only to deepen democracy, but to also guide development in Akwa Ibom State to desirable heights. The Gavel, our platform, focussing on the Legislature, encapsulates here some of the reports on the Assembly’s sittings. – Editor
Akwa Ibom Scrap Metal Dealers Bill 2020 Passes Second Reading
A Bill for a law to regulate the sales of scrap metals in Akwa Ibom State has passed a second reading in the State House of Assembly.
Entitled ‘Akwa lbom State Scrap Metals Bill 2020,’ the Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of a regulatory framework for scrap metals business in the state.
Rt. Hon Aniekan Uko, the member representing Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, who is the lead sponsor of the Bill, advancing the debate, said it seeks to regulate scrap metals business in the state in order to checkmate crime and criminal tendencies amongst the promoters of the business.
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Uko explained that the scrap metal business has been heavily tainted with controversies and scandals saying that most of these scandals assume criminal colouration with the involvement of law enforcement agents.
He said the Bill when passed into law will prohibit any person from carrying on scrap metals business without licence in the state, adding that “persons seeking to operate scrap metal business can do so either as a licensed collector or site manager”.
According to him, the law would make it mandatory for a scrap dealer to display a copy of his licence at his place of business and that the Bill further requires a scrap dealer to verify the identity of his suppliers before accepting scraps from them.
The lawmaker said the Bill is dedicated to supplementary matters such as the right of an officer of the Akwa Ibom State Waste Management Agency to enter and inspect a licensed scrap site, offence by corporate bodies; review, regulations; interpretation and citation.
Uko appealed for support from other members of the House to enable the Bill to see the light of the day.
Accordingly, those who rose to speak in support of the bill were the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Ekpo; Member representing Ukanafun State Constituency, Hon. (Dr) Charity Ido and Member representing Mkpat Enin, Hon. Victor Ekwere.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has directed the House Committee on Environment to conduct an in-depth study on the Bill and report back to the House within one month. At the Plenary also, “Akwa Ibom State Lottery Board Bill 2020”, sponsored by Member representing Ikot Abasi Eastern/Obolo State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh, was also read for the second time.
Speaking in support of the bill were Members representing Esit Eket /Ibeno State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh; Member representing Etinan State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis; Member representing Eket State Constituency, Rt. Hon. David Lawrence; Member representing Nsit Atai State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mark Esset and Member representing Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko.
The Speaker thereafter committed the bill to Committee on Finance and Appropriation for in-depth studies.
