Uncapped Legacies of Anambra State 6th Assembly, by Ebuka Onyekwelu

The 6^th House of Assembly of Anambra State will come to an end, in about a week’s time. Although, in reality, the House is ending on Monday, the 3^rd of June 2019, after it’s plenary which other things being equal, will be the last sitting of the 6^th Assembly.

Over the last four years, the Assembly has gone on with its business of lawmaking and performing oversight on the executive arm. Within these years, the House has also witnessed low level disturbances and disruption, especially as it patterns the leadership of the Assembly. Generally, it is easy to look at the House and quickly dismiss it as an apron string of the executive or rather, the governor. It is indeed, easy to raise doubt as to the existence of separation of power between the executive and the legislature, however, it is instructive to consider that different arms of government naturally require cooperation for effective leadership and good governance delivery. This fact though, does not negate the independence of each arm. In context therefore, while the cooperation between the Anambra executive intends to ensure harmony and good governance, the legislature must not lose its distinct identity while at it. Conversely, the executive ought not to exert undue influence or needlessly interfere in the affairs of the legislature. So far, one must admit that this seamless order has not been internalized on both sides. But in any case, a kin observer will see clearly that the 6^th Assembly has left some worthwhile legacies in the sands of time, however, some of its legacies remain unsealed.

Anambra State House of Assembly Complex, Awka

Between 12^th June 2015 and the last sitting of the House just last week, the Assembly has been able to pass a total of 33 bills. If we just divide these bills proportionally over the four years term, we will have 8 to 9 bills for each legislative year. This is above average and truly fair, considering the enormity of work that goes into passage of a bill by the legislature. However, the major question is; what is the quality of these bills? This question is rarely asked but it is the most important thing when considering the performance of legislature. Now, of these 33 bills successfully passed into law by the 6^th Assembly of Anambra State, how many of them address core challenging issues of public concern? How many of them are designed to strengthen governmental institutions in a sustainable manner, for good governance delivery? When the bills, pass the above tests, then the next one is; have they been signed into law? Thereafter we can talk of gazette and execution. Truth is, the people cannot feel the impact of the legislature until the laws they make have gone through these processes.

Now here are some of the very quality laws passed by the Anambra 6^th Assembly;

1. Anambra State Sports Development Law 2018. This law was passed on 6^th September, 2018. As I write this, the law has not been signed/accented to. This is a high quality law that intends to revolutionalize sports in Anambra state.

2. Sickle Cell Disease (Control and Eradication) Law 2019. This law was passed on the 30^th day of April, 2019. This is another landmark law to address sickle cell disease and it was passed by the 6^th However, as of this moment, it has not been accented to.

3. Anambra State House of Assembly Service Commission Law; passed on April 4, 2019. This law is a breakthrough in building stronger institutions and in this instance, Anambra legislature. Lawmaking is a specialized area in governance that requires internal management of staff and general affairs. However, this law has not been accented to.

4. Law Revision Law, 2019. Passed by the House on 16^th April, 2019. But not accented to yet.

5. Legislative Fund Management Law; passed on 11^th April, 2019. The law essentially addresses the financial autonomy of the House, in a way to strengthen the legislature as an institution of government which endpoint will be strong institution. This law has not been accented to.

With the above, apparently the 6^th Assembly is leaving without its finest contributions in terms of lawmaking, being accented to. The Assembly is leaving with its legacy uncapped. What is the exact essence of making a good law that is not signed into law? What purpose does it serve, really?

Considering the import of these laws passed by the Assembly on the wellbeing of Anambra people and the institutions of government, both the legislature and especially the executive should quickly do the needful, in the interest of the people and government of Anambra State. The governor should sign these laws in order to begin with the 7^th Assembly on a fresh note, with stronger and better institution, which will make the huge task of governance easier, for all.