Representatives from the south-south geopolitical zone sponsored 18.2 percent of the 1175 bills sponsored in the first year of the 10th assembly.
During the recently concluded first year of the 10th House of Representatives, members from the south-south zone contributed significantly to legislative efforts with a total of 211 bills introduced. This represents 18.2 percent of all bills processed in the house in the period June 2023 and May 2024. Of this number, 11 bills were passed, 2 were consolidated, 1 was negatived, 1 was recorded as nil, 18 are awaiting consideration while 13 are awaiting report. A majority of 165 bills are awaiting second reading.
Out of the 55 lawmakers from the zone, 44 lawmakers sponsored bills while the remaining 11 lawmakers did not participate in bill sponsorship. Among these lawmakers, 2 are currently serving as principal officers in persons of Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC) Majority Leader and representative of Owan west/east federal constituency, Edo State who sponsored 15 bills and Rep. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda (PDP) Minority Leader and representative of Obior/Okpor federal constituency, Rivers State who sponsored 5 bills.
Additionally, the zone is represented by 4 female lawmakers reflecting a modest effort towards gender balance compared to their counterparts. These female lawmakers are Rep. Ebikake Marie Enenimiete (PDP) Brass/Nembe, Bayelsa; Rep. Ibori-Suenu Erthiatake (PDP) Ethiope east/Ethiope west, Delta; Rep. Goodhead Boma (PDP) Akuku-toru, Asari-toru, Rivers; and Rep. Amadi Blessing Chigeru (PDP) Port Harcourt II, Rivers.
READ ALSO: 10THNASSREPORTCARD: 15 south south senators sponsor 64 bills in one year
Here is a further breakdown of the activities of the south south zone per state.
Akwa- Ibom
9 out of Akwa-Ibom lawmakers sponsored a total of 30 bills. 29 of these bills are awaiting second reading while 1 is awaiting consideration. The bills constitutes 14.2 percent of the zonal bills and 2.58 percent of the total house bills.
Bayelsa
Only 2 of Bayelsa lawmakers sponsored bills within the first year and they had a total of 9 bills between them all awaiting second reading. These bills represent 4.3 percent of the south south bills tally and 0.78 of the total house bills tally.
Cross River
Cross River had a total of 32 bills sponsored by 7 of its lawmakers. The bill progression is as follows: 5 bills were passed/transmitted, 3 bills are awaiting report, 22 bills are awaiting second reading, and 2 bills are awaiting consideration. The bills account for 15.2 percent of the zonal bills tally and 2.77 percent of the total house bills.
Edo
Edo had 56 sponsored bills by 7 lawmakers. Of this number, 4 were passed/transmitted, 4 are awaiting report, 44 are awaiting 2nd reading, 3 are awaiting consideration and 1 was consolidated. These bills make up 26.5 percent of the south south zone bills tally and 4.8 percent of the total house bills.
Delta
Delta has 9 sponsors who proposed 41 bills. Out of these 41 bills, 2 were passed/transmitted, 1 was consolidated, 2 are awaiting report, 30 are awaiting 2nd reading, while 6 are awaiting consideration. The bills constitutes 19.4 percent of the zonal bills and 3.53 percent of the total house bills.
Rivers
There were 10 bill sponsors in Rivers who sponsored 43 bills in total. 1 bill was negatived, 4 are awaiting report, 31 are awaiting second reading, 6 are awaiting consideration and 1 was recorded as nil. These bills represents 20.4 percent of the south south bills tally and 3.71 percent of the total house bills.
10th NASS Report Card: Read up on the performance of other senators and members of house and other specialized categories here
