The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr Onofiok Luke, has said the state sixth assembly would provide the needed framework to help the state government to achieve its developmental goals.
Luke said this in Uyo while declaring open a public hearing on the “Akwa Ibom State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency Bill, 2016”.
The hearing was organised by the joint Committees on Industry, Commerce and Tourism; Appropriations and Finance; Agriculture and Natural Resources and Economic Planning and Development.
He said studies had shown that strong legislation had helped some developing economies to succeed in building a strong economy.
According to him, the legislature in these economies play vital roles by enacting corresponding laws that will drive and sustain growths.
Luke said that the assembly christened: “The People Assembly” was determined to enact laws that would enhance the growth of economy in the state.
The speaker said that the Bill was aimed at promoting the establishment of micro, small, and medium enterprises across the state.
“The agency, which will be set up by this Bill, will fundamentally harness and incorporate the entrepreneurship activities of the small scale businesses.
“The desire of both the executive and the legislature is to continue to explore ways to encourage entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance.
“The target is to boost the middle-class and reduce the gap between the economically empowered and the economically less privileged,” he said.
Luke said that Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom placed emphasis on the need for solid legislation to drive economic growth and sustainability.
The Chairman of Uyo Chamber of Commerce, Mrs Imo Isemin, urged the House to pass the bill, adding that it would enhance the growth of small scale enterprise in the state.