Abia Assembly Passes 37 Bills in Two Years, Highlights Groundbreaking Electricity, Pensions Laws

The Abia State House of Assembly has passed 37 bills in its first two years since inauguration, according to Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa. He shared this during a press briefing in Umuahia on Tuesday, highlighting key achievements of the eighth assembly, which began its tenure in 2023.

Among the significant legislations passed were the 2023 Appropriation Law, the Greater Aba Development Authority Law (2024), the Abia State Pensions Reform Law (2024), and several others enacted in 2024 and 2025, including the Security Trust Fund Law, Electricity Law, Senior Citizens Law, and Local Government Administration Law.

Emeruwa emphasized that the assembly focused on people-centric legislation aimed at reforming state institutions, promoting inclusive governance, and ensuring sustainable development.

He praised his colleagues for their cooperation and cited a major legislative milestone: “In May, 18 bills were signed into law in a single day — an unprecedented achievement in the state’s legislative history and possibly in Nigeria.”

The Speaker clarified that all the passed bills have received the governor’s assent and are now enforceable. However, he noted that the issue in Nigeria is not the absence of laws but the lack of implementation.

One of the standout pieces of legislation is the Electricity Law, which empowers Abia to regulate electricity within the state — a move he believes will attract investors and boost industrial development.

He also spotlighted the Senior Citizens Law, a pioneering initiative that provides monthly stipends, free healthcare, and other benefits to Abia residents aged 60 and above. “I don’t think any other Nigerian state has enacted such a law,” he added, underscoring its social welfare significance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the speaker also addressed the assembly’s achievements in legislative oversight and constituency representation. He described the current relationship between the legislature and the executive as cordial and productive, enabling efficient governance.