The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed 45 bills in the last three years, with 42 of them already signed into law by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The Speaker of the House, Somtochukwu Udeze said this at a press briefing in Awka on Wednesday to commemorate the third Anniversary of the 8th Assembly, highlighting the legislature’s achievements in lawmaking, oversight, and representation.
He said the bills comprised executive-sponsored and private members’ legislation aimed at strengthening governance and addressing key socio-economic and security challenges in the state.
According to the Speaker, “the Assembly has also passed about 90 motions and resolutions, received more than 100 public petitions, and successfully resolved 16 of them.”
Among the landmark laws enacted during the period, Udeze identified the Local Government Administration Law and the Homeland Security Law.
He explained that the Local Government Administration Law was designed to enhance local government administration and improve financial accountability, while the Homeland Security Law was enacted to support the state’s efforts to address security challenges.”
The Speaker noted that the Assembly had continued to discharge its oversight responsibilities through its various committees, ensuring effective monitoring of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the implementation of government policies and programmes.
On representation, he said “lawmakers had maintained close contact with their constituents through constituency offices, town hall meetings, and community engagement initiatives.”
Udeze also announced plans to strengthen collaboration with Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, to encourage greater citizen participation in the legislative process and improve public engagement in governance.
He further said that the Assembly was pursuing reforms aimed at modernising its operations, including the digitisation of legislative processes, establishment of a digital library, and construction of additional office facilities.
According to him, “the digital library is expected to become operational within the next three months, enhancing access to legislative resources and improving efficiency in the conduct of legislative business.”
The Speaker reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the independence of the legislature through institutional reforms that would safeguard its autonomy and enhance its effectiveness.
He also called for improved welfare for Assembly staff and sustained capacity-building programmes for lawmakers, particularly first-term legislators, to enable them to effectively perform their constitutional duties.
Udeze expressed confidence that the Assembly would continue to promote democratic governance, strengthen legislative institutions, and foster greater public participation in the lawmaking process.
“The legislature remains committed to enacting people-oriented laws and ensuring effective representation of the interests of Anambra people,” he said.
