[size=15pt]Abia Assembly to allow public participation in Bills![/size]

By Ugochukwu Eke 4 hours 1 minute ago




SPEAKER Ude Okochukwu of Abia State House of Assembly has disclosed that the public would soon be allowed to make an input in every bill brought before the House before such billa are passed into law.

Okochukwu said it is an innovation introduced by the House to ensure that all strata of the society participate in the law making process.

He spoke in Umuahia when the executive members of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists [NUJ], led by its chairman, Hyacinth Okoli, visited him.

He said: “We have found out that law making should involve everybody and we are the people directly involved in making good laws that will affect everyone. This made us to decide that every Bill must pass through public hearing.”

This will also enable those who will be affected by such Bills when passed into law to make meaningful contribution, as it will affect them directly as well as those of us making the laws.”

The Speaker thanked journalists for the coverage of the activities of the House.

Okochukwu promised to commence a quarterly news conference, different from the one conducted monthly by the Deputy Speaker and House Chairman on Information, Asiforo Okere.

He urged other stakeholders to contribute to the development of the state.

Earlier in his speech, Okoli urged the lawmakers to make good laws that would expedite the development of the state. “Do not allow undue pressure to make you do what you are not supposed to do,” he warned the lawmakers.

He invited the lawmakers to this year’s NUJ week and solicited the sponsorship of the games billed for the week.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/15405-abia-assembly-to-allow-public-participation-in-bills.html

Great move my the Abia House. Iust because the governor is visionless doesn't mean others can't be innovative. This style is a practice within our culture.Glad they are embarrassing it. Kudos Abia!