C'River State Assembly To Confirm Eba as Due Process DG next legislative sitting, demands the presence of Eba

Eba

By Endure

The 9th Cross River State House of Assembly in her maiden plenary under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones Williams as Speaker yesterday refused to confirm the appointment of Barrister Alphonsus Eba Ogar as Director General of Due Process And Pricing Intelligence.

Recall that the State Governor, Sen. Ben. Ayade nominated Barr. Alphonsus Eba Ogar to head the Due Process And Pricing Intelligence Agency. Accordingly, the State Government’s Secretariat forwarded a memo to the House of Assembly pleading for Barr. Eba’s confirmation.

Despite the pungency that accompanied the Governor’s plea, the House refused confirming the nomination because the nominee, Barr. Eba was not present for interfacing.

After the Assembly Clark, Barr. Bassey Ekpenyong read the memo on the floor of the House, Rt. Hon. Regina Anyogo, member representing Yala I State Constituency notedly pointed out that Barr. Eba, who is her constituent does not only qualify for the task but had bagged sufficient experience to function in every way having served in this capacity in the first administration of Governor Ayade.

Patronizing Regina’s gesture, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey of Ogoja State Constituency and Leader of the House beckoned on the members to, as a matter exigency confirm Eba whom, according to Odey needed the House confirmation much soonest courtesy of the necessity that follows the agency.

In a different direction, Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim of Calabar South II State Constituency and Chief Whip of the House argued that since Barr. Alphonsus’ agency had everything to do with due process, hence, due process needed to be followed in every process leading to Eba’s appointment. Okon advised that Barr. Eba be made to appear before the House for interrogation and advice before his nomination was confirmed.

Rt. Hon. Matthew Olory of Akamkpa I State Constituency, supporting Ephraim’s position stated that the need for Barr. Eba to appear before the House was requisite for new members of the House, particularly those who were yet to interface with Barr. Eba to seise the platform to do so for a stronger working experience and relationship. Olory also pointedly questioned that in the event Barr. Eba was no longer interested in the job or has, perhaps, a federal engagement that would not guarantee his time in the State, his appearance would serve him the opportunity to inform both the State Government and all concerned.

Other members who stood by the Chief Whip’s position maintaining that Barr. Eba appeared before the House otherwise no confirmation were; Rt. Hon. Fred Osim of Ikom I, Rt. Hon. Ekpo Ekpo of Bakassi, Hon. Davis Ettah of Abi, Hon. Goodwin Akwaji of Obudu, and Hon. Chris Ogar of Etung State Constituency.

Reacting to the debate, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones said that following the contributions of individual members, it was obvious the House would not confirm Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba’s nomination until he appeared before it. The Speaker also informed that Barr. Eba was out of the state for an assignment, however, will be billed to appear before the general House since no House Committee has been set up on the meanwhile to handle such duties.

Following the resolution, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones fixed July 2nd, 2019 as date for Barr. Eba to appear before the House and accordingly, mandated the House Secretariat to communicate same to the nominee.