Assembly Moves To Establish Abia State University of Medical and Health Management Technology

Bill seeking the establishment of the state University of Medical and Health Management Technology on Monday passed first reading at Abia State House of Assembly.

Leader of the Assembly, Hon. Solomon Akpulonu moved the motion for H.A.B. 53, “A Bill for a Law to Establish the Abia State University of Medical and Health Management Technology and for other related purposes“, sponsored by Hon Thomas A.C. Nkoro, to pass First Reading.

The motion was seconded by the Deputy Whip of the House and Member representing Umuahia North, Hon Kelechi Onuzuruike after which the Speaker put it up for vote and the Bill passed First Reading.

The Bill is to be known as “Abia State University of Medical and Health Management Technology Bill, 2022.”

Also on Monday, Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Solomon Akpulonu moved a motion for a Bill for a Law to provide for the Establishment, Operations and Functions of the Abia State Watershed Management Agency and for other Matters Related therewith be passed to First Reading.

In leading the debate, sponsor of the Bill and Deputy Chief Whip of the Assembly, Hon Onuzuruike representing Umuahia North called for the conversion of Abia NEWMAP to an agency – Abia State Agency for Erosion Control and Watershed Management.

He said, “As the World Bank hands off from funding erosion control activities under NEWMAP as a project, transiting to an AGENCY is a pre-condition to benefit from funding by the European investment bank for the next two years.

“The work of NEWMAP as assisted by the World Bank was a pilot programme through which the state must have built capacity for global best practices on erosion control methods. With the Agency, the state will continue with work on erosion control and watershed management in the state. There are over 300 identified gullies in the state that require attention.

“As an agency, it will have the power to address all other forms of environmental degradation and be a one-stop point for all such interventions in the state”.