Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Passes Into Law Executive Bill To Establish Bulk Purchase Agency
By Emmanuel Uffot
The 26 members of the 8th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, have unanimously passed into law a bill to establish the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency. This agency which is the brainchild of Governor Umo Eno in one of his government agenda to ameliorate high cost of food stuffs, is to revolutionize the procurement and distribution of essential commodities within the state at affordable prices for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
Governor Eno had expressed his enthusiasm for the new law, highlighting that it will enable the government to purchase food items in bulk and provide them to the citizens at reduced prices.
According to him, the initiative is to ease the financial burden on residents while ensuring a steady supply of essential goods.
The 10 key highlights of the proposed Bulk Purchase Agency are :
1. The agency will operate under the Governor’s office, with the Governor serving as the chairman.
2. It will fall under the supervision of the Governor’s economic adviser.
3. The agency will consist of three key departments: Operations, Finance/Administration, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Compliance.
4. Board members will include Commissioners for Economic Development, Justice, Agriculture, and Internal Security from the state EXCO, among others.
5. Additional members will represent various sectors such as ALGON, the State Chamber of Commerce, and labour unions.
6. The primary focus of the agency will be purchasing foodstuffs in bulk and selling them at subsidized rates to different depots.
7. Ensuring adequate food supply to the 31 Local Government Areas will be a key responsibility.
8. The agency will also be involved in policy formulation for the purchase and sale of food items.
9. Targeted food items include garri, rice, beans, yam, potatoes, onions, livestock, and other daily necessities.
10. The establishment of the agency aims to encourage farming in the state by providing a reliable market through the bulk purchase agency.
It could be recalled that amidst the hunger orchestrated by high cost of food stuffs, Governor Eno had initiated many measures to boost food sufficiency. One of the measures was Government going into bulk purchase of food stuffs to sell to residents in choice markets at affordable prices. In other to actualise this, he mooted the establishment of the Bulk Purchase Agency. In furtherance of this, Governor initiated an executive bill and forward to the State House of Assembly, pleading for speedy passage.
Given the importance of the bill, the State House of Assembly had on February 26, 2024 convened a Public Hearing on the Bill for the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency.
The Public Hearing which at the instance of the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources chaired by Hon Pastor Ubong Attah representing Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, was declared open by the Speaker Rt. Hon Udeme Otong who was represented by Hon Asuquo Nana Udo.
Speakers at the two- day event which has culminated in the speedy passage of the Bill into law, all hinged on its importance which include, enhancing food security, stabilising commodity prices, streamlining the distribution of food items and engagement of local farmers towards promoting economic growth.
Notable speakers at the Public Hearing were the Commissioner for Agriculture and and Natural Resources Dr Mrs Offiong Offor, Commissioner of Economic Development Mr Bob Emem and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Barrister Uko Udom (SAN).
Under the arrangement put in place, the agency will purchase bulk essential food items and sell at some major markets in the state for people to purchase.
Apart from Governor Eno, the Lagos State Government under Babajide Sanya-Olu, is also set to implement this initiative with the purchase of food items to be sold at Sunday markets across the state at affordable prices to Lagosians.