The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly on Wednesday at plenary passed the Akwa Ibom Youth Development Fund Bill.
The bill which was proposed by Youth Groups including the Youth Alive Foundation and had Mr Emmanuel Ekpenyong as lead-sponsor, is seeking a law for the implementation of a sustainable youth policy framework in the state.
The bill proposed the Establishment of the Akwa Ibom Youth Development Fund with ultimate aim to create jobs and evolve greater opportunities for the teeming youth.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Mr Luke Onofiok, commended the Youth Alive Foundation and other youth organizsations for proposing the bill.
Onofiok urged Akwa Ibom people to take similar advantage of the legislature to propose laws that could positively affect the generality of the people.
He said the bill was in fulfilment of the promise made in 2015 to support the youth, especially in the area of job creation and empowerment.
“It has been a mark of honour on the 6th Assembly, that in passing this bill today, we have given verve to our economy to attract Foreign Direct Investments into youth development ventures in our state.
“We are confident that the law will be a direct catalyst for economic growth.
“I commend the Youth Alive Foundation and other youth groups for proposing this bill.
“As the people’s assembly, we have, in the last couple of years, presented this House as an instrument for positive exploitation by the people.
“The Youth Alive Foundation has utilised this avenue very exemplarily. I urge Akwa Ibom people to take a cue from these young Akwa Ibom people,’’ he said.
Also at plenary on Wednesday, the House ratified the Auditor-General’s Report on the State Audited Accounts for 2017 in line with the provisions of Section 125 (5) (6) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
The state auditor-general had submitted to the House the Statement of Accounts for the 2017 fiscal year.
The House proceeded to ratify the report through the Public Accounts Committee.
The speaker noted in his remarks that having thoroughly considered the expenditure of government as captured in the report, the assembly had put a legislative seal on the state audited accounts for 2017.
He said the House would be looking forward to auditing the state accounts for 2018 before the expiration of the Assembly in June.
The House, before the end of plenary, congratulated Gov. Udom Emmanuel on his second term election and thanked Akwa Ibom people for their peaceful conduct during the general elections.
Leave a Reply