Enugu Bureau Of Statistics Bill Scales 2nd Reading

The bill establishing Enugu State Bureau of Statistics and Statistical System and other incidental matters has passed a second reading at the state House of Assembly .

Leading a debate on the bill, the Majority Leader, Mr Sunday Udeh-Okoye said that when passed it would provide information storage, close the gap created by lack of information in the state and help in planning.

He noted that such bureau would assist the agencies, and organisations in the state including, the civil society groups, get verifiable information on all sectors of the state economy and enhance the well-being of economy .

In his contribution, the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr John-Kelvin Ukuta, said it would be a foundation for all government activities and programmes to thrive just as it would monitor the implementation of government policies.

He expressed regret that Enugu State had missed many investment opportunities owing to lack of statistical data to support feasibility studies undertaken by investors.

Also speaking , the Chief Whip, Mrs Theresa Egbo, said the passage of the bill would enthrone strategic service delivery and bring the state to its turning point in development.

She noted that it would enhance government’s programme implementation as accurate statistics would be used to solve socio-economic and political problems.

Mr Donatus Uzogbado (PDP-Oji-River),lent his support saying the bill would ease planning, organising , coordinating for government in addition to creating jobs, transparency, accountability and enhancing productivity.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Eugene Odo, deferred the debate to enable others make their contributions.

In another development, the speaker read a letter from Governor Sullivan Chime,apologising for the substitution of one development centre administrator nominees for another.

Mrs Ngozi Onyeazor, whose name originally appeared on the list of 57 administrator nominees, was changed to read Mr Ekemezie Mbonu who was screened and cleared last week as the administrator of Oji-River Central development centre.

The house directed Onyeazor to take a bow and leave after the Majority leader, Dr Emeka Ogbuabor moved a motion for the acceptance of the letter and subsequent screening of Onyeazor.