Abia House Of Assembly Begins Screening Of Commissioner NomineesNominees

The Abia State House of Assembly has commenced the screening of the Commissioner nominees sent to it by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Factnewsonline 's  house of assembly correspondent confirmed that eight of the nominees were asked to take a bow as former lawmakers while others were drilled for several hours.

Before the commencement of the screening exercise, the chairman of the House Ad-hoc committee on the screening of the nominees, Rt. Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe, presented their report to the house on the outcome of the committee's screening.

Dr Ndukwe, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the house, prayed the committee of the whole house to further screen the nominees but added that their review indicated that the nominees are people of impeccable character that have served the state in various capacities.

After a voice vote, the house resolved to go ahead with the screening in plenary.

Uzo Azubuike, Eziuche Ubani, Christopher Enweremadu, Chinedum
 Elechi, Asiforo Okere, Chidiebere Nwoke, Obinna Ekekwe and Young Onyeike who were former members of the National and state legislature were asked to take a bow and go in line with Nigeria legislative convention.

Briefing newsmen at the end, the former lawmakers expressed delight at their appointments and promised to give their best in the service of the state.

Fielding questions from the lawmakers on roads, local government affairs, and other issues, Chief Charles Ogbonna explained that some autonomous communities are viable while others are not.

He revealed that as former commissioner in charge of local governments in the state, his ministry discovered 2284 ghost workers within the local government system and told the house that the fact of painstaking review and discover demonstrates his uprightness and integrity.

Chief Ogbonna stated that the discovery should save the state 57 billion naira over a period of five years, if necessary actions are taken.

Prof Ikechi Mgbeoji, who is the immediate past commissioner for education, admitted that public schools in the state are in dire need of urgent attention.

Prof Mgbeoji who is a Canada based law Professor maintained that the only way out of the numerous education challenges in the state is to do away with free education and set up an education trust fund.

Also speaking, former commissioner for health, Dr. John Ahukanna, vigorously defended himself against the allegation by a member of the house that he squandered $1.5m given to the state by the World Bank.

However, his spirited denials with presentation of facts raised some dust in the house, with some members insisting that the nominee be stepped down while others questioned the basis for the allegation as no hard facts were presented to the house.

Dr. John Akukanna denied knowledge of any missing world bank funds and wondered where such an allegation emanated from. He highlighted his achievements as Commisioner for health and assured the house that he will continue to serve with dedication to duties if confirmed by the house.

The House later adjourned plenary to the next day to continue the
screening exercise.