AKHA adjourned abruptly over Starvation of funds?
There was a mild drama on Tuesdsy, 6th October, 2020 at the plenary of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly when State Lawmakers ended plenary in less than 5 minutes.
The members, after over three hours spent in the Executive Session, stood down all items on the order paper at plenary and adjourned to reconvene on December 3, 2020.
It was gathered that the long adjournment was taken to send a protest signal to the Executive over what the lawmakers described as starvation of funds by Governor Udom Emmanuel.
The adjournment slated to last for about two months may frustrate Governor Udom Emmanuel’s planned presentation of budget proposal which was expected this month.
According to some lawmakers who confided in this reporter, the kernel of their protest revolves around Governor Emmanuel’s refusal to give them funds for constituency projects among other sundry matters and bills.
They disclosed that they find it disturbing that since the 7th Assembly was inaugurated, they are yet to get funds for constituency projects as a result of Starvation of funds from the Executive.
They pointed out that Governor Emmanuel’s refusal to remit the funds was responsible for the House’s inability to go for recess like other legislative Houses in the Country.
One of the Lawmakers stated: “It is during recess that you have time to embark on projects for your constituents. But the Governor has refused to release funds for this despite all our pleas.
“Have you seen any House Member able to carry out a constituency project? Was it like this before? He wants to make us turn to failures before our constituents so that he will have upper hand during our elections. We can’t allow that to continue.”
The Lawmakers disclosed that they have also been starved of funds to effectively carry out Committee work hence the reason it appears as if they are less concerned over their oversight functions.
While noting that anytime they approach the Governor, he complains to channeling State funds to COVID-19 fight, the State Lawmakers said they have shown understanding by forfeiting two months of their imprest to the fight.
“We have tried to understand with him. But he shouldn’t use Covid-19 always as excuse. We know how much comes into this State monthly,” another Lawmaker pointed out.
Meanwhile, it has been gathered that most of the Lawmakers were becoming frustrated over the manner the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aniekan Bassey handled the concerns of his colleagues.
They noted that anytime they bring up the issue of how they have been starved of funds by the Executive, Speaker Bassey has always been giving excuses, holding briefing for the Governor.
“We love and respect our Speaker. But it became clear that he was rather protecting the interest of the Governor rather than our interest or that of our constituents. If he had failed to further our interest today, I can tell you things would not have been the same.”
Contacted, the Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Information, Rt Hon Aniefiok Denis noted that the real reason the House adjourned for two months is because the House is embarking on recess.
He said:” Today the House proceeded on its First recess. This is in line with normal parliamentary practice. The House has worked tirelessly for almost two years now, even during lockdown.
“The House will not hesitate to reconvene during the recess if there is need to do so especially when or where it concerns the well being and welfare of the good people of Akwa Ibom State.”
Denis insisted that it is not incumbent upon the 7th Assembly to follow the pattern of past Assemblies or other House of Assemblies where recess is usually taken during the month of August or September.
He said it was not true that the House is embarking on the two months adjournment because of financial starvation by the Executive.
The House Spokesperson added: “I am not aware of starvation of funds. Statutorily, we are paid what we are entitled to. As for constituency projects, you don’t just wake up and get it. There are procedures.
“If we don’t receive funds for constituency projects, it is not enough reason for us not to work. Our going to recess is not about monetary issues. That’s the position of the House,” he pointed out.
