Members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, alongside key staff, have convened for a three-day retreat in Enugu aimed at enhancing their legislative prowess and evaluating their performance since the inception of the 8th Assembly.
The retreat serves as a platform for members to familiarize themselves with their legislative responsibilities, assess achievements thus far, and strategize on ways to enhance efficiency in their duties.
In his opening address, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Right Honorable Somto Udeze, stressed the importance of the retreat in bolstering members’ capacity for quality representation and oversight functions. He commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for fostering a harmonious relationship between the Executive and the Legislature.
Right Honorable Udeze emphasized the relevance of the retreat’s theme, “Developing Anambra State Through Effective Legislative Engineering,” in guiding members towards impactful legislative actions.
Echoing the sentiments, the Deputy Speaker, Right Honorable Chukwuma Okoye, highlighted the retreat’s significance in equipping members with the necessary skills to discharge their duties effectively. He lauded the Speaker for spearheading the initiative.
Facilitating the event, former Clerk of the State Assembly, Mr. Pius Udoh, led participants in reviewing the 8th Assembly Agenda, focusing on legislative processes, oversight functions, ethical conduct, and budgetary matters.
Honorable Ejike Okechukwu, representing Anaocha II constituency, emphasized the retreat’s role in facilitating personal assessment among members and charting a course for future legislative priorities, especially for first-time lawmakers.
Similarly, Honorable Noble Igwe of Ogbaru Constituency one, Honorable Tony Mmoubuike of Aguata II Constituency, and Honorable Ebuka Igwe of Idemili South Constituency concurred on the retreat’s significance in honing legislative skills and improving overall performance.
Over the three-day period, participants will engage in lectures covering topics such as “Oversight as a tool for good governance,” “An overview of the committee system,” and “The budget as an effective mechanism for delivering the government’s agenda,” among others.
