Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONet), a foremost platform for citizens’ advocacy and good governance has applauded Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo on the epoch making event of signing eleven (11) Bills into law.
Leader of the group, Prince Chris Azor, made the statement while interacting with newsmen shortly after the event which took place at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.
According to Comrade Azor, the feat by Mr Governor was unprecedented and humongous. “Such has never been experienced in the governance epoch of the State. Having eleven developmental Bills signed in one day. This shows unwavering commitment to rule of law and good governance. It’s highly commendable, he said.
The human rights advocate however, appealed to the Governor to expedite action in setting up the structures that would operationalize the laws for strategic implementation.
Notably, first among the newly signed laws is the Anambra State Electoral Law, 2024.
Speaking on the ANAMBRA STATE ELECTORAL LAW, which the Governor said Ndi Anambra have been waiting for, he announced that it has been finally delivered, pointing out that it would lay the foundation for organizing and conducting local government election.
He described it as a promise made and a promise kept, noting that the extant law met by his administration was rickety, saying that the team has taken pains to make a law that is in tune with the times.
“We will subsequently set up the electoral Commission. When they are done, they will announce the date and time for the election.
Recall that Civil Society Organizations led by International Peace and Civic Responsibility (Centre) and Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) in Partnership with Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, with Support from FCDO, embarked on a project “Strengthening Transparency, Accountability In Governance and Electoral Process (Stage), aimed to advocate for conduct of Local Government Elections In Anambra State.
The Intervention is achieving desired outcome leading to the signing of a new electoral law for Anambra State.
The other newly signed laws include, Anambra State Touting Prohibition Law, 2024, Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law, 2024, Health Facilities and Accreditation Agency Law, 2024, Anambra State Peace Building and Conflict Management Agency, Anambra State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (ANSOGPADEC) Law, 2024 and Market Safety and Protection Law, 2024.
Others are; Trafficking In Person Prohibition Law, 2024, Anambra State Revenue Administration (Consolidation. and Harmonization) Law, 2024, Anambra State Private Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery Law, 2024 and the Law to Amend the Anambra State House of Assembly Service Commission Law 2021 and for other Connected Purposes.
Governor Soludo expressed great excitement after he officially signed the bills into law and described the event as historic. He appreciated the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly for living up to their patriotic duty for the good of Ndi Anambra
“This assembly is one of the most hardworking and productive Assembly in Nigeria. Enacting the laws shows that they are responsive to the needs of Ndi Anambra”
“The laws have to be obeyed from today onwards, to avoid prosecution”; the Governor stated.
Speaking on the ANAMBRA STATE ELECTORAL LAW which the Governor said that Ndi Anambra have been waiting for, he announced that it has been finally delivered, pointing out that it will lay the foundation for organizing and conducting local government election.
He described it as a promise made and a promise kept, noting that the extant law met by his administration was rickety, saying that the team has taken pains to make a law that is in tune with the times.
“We will subsequently set up the electoral commission. When they are done, they will announce the date and time for the election.
“We have not had local government election in more than ten years. The infrastructure and basic institutions will be strengthened to have a credible election.
“I’m excited that we are moving forward to have this foundation. We have been making sure to reform the local government system to make it viable for new administrations.
“When we came in, we were ready to move on, but we met issues including over 14 billion naira gratuity arrears, insecurity, infrastructure decay, financial crisis, among others, but we are getting better by the day”; Governor Soludo concluded.
The deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Speaker of the State House, Rt Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, among others witnessed the event
Also, in attendance were the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Barr. Joachin Anaeto, Chief of Protocol and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Chinedu Nwoye, State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Sylvia Ifemeje, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, his Special Duties counterpart, Mrs Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Barr. Anthony Ifeanya, Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Okoye, Majority Leader, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, representatives of Civil Society, Media, among others.
Civil Society Hails Soludo on Signing Anambra Electoral Law
