The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has called for strict enforcement of compliance with the provisions of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency Law, 2021, particularly as it concerns the mandatory contributions and enrollment into the State Health Insurance Scheme.
The house made the call following the adoption of a motion titled “Need to Enforce Mandatory Contributions and Compliance with the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency Law”, sponsored by the member representing Ibiono Ibom state constituency, Mr Moses Essien.
Mr. Essien expressed concern over the widespread refusal of many contractors, corporate bodies, and employers to comply with the law mandating them to enroll their employees in the State Health Insurance Scheme.
He noted that the Law makes health insurance compulsory for employees all corporate organisations with offices or operational presence in Akwa Ibom State.
Essien further warned that the non-compliance not only weakens healthcare financing, but also denies citizens access to quality healthcare and frustrates the state’s drive towards Universal Health Coverage under the Arise Care Programme of Governor Umo Eno as captured in his ARISE Agenda Blueprint.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency to immediately intensify enforcement of all mandatory contribution and enrollment provisions of the law.
The House also urged all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure strict compliance with Section 29 of the Law by enforcing the deduction and remittance of one percent health insurance contribution from all qualifying government contracts before payment is made.
Meanwhile the House has passed a resolution urging the State Government to partner with the private sector to establish waste recycling plants across the State, as part of efforts to convert waste to wealth, protect the environment and create jobs.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Member, representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Barr. Prince Ukpong Akpabio II.
Moving the motion titled “Waste to Wealth: Need to Partner with the Private Sector to Establish a Recycling Plant in the State,” Prince Akpabio who cited Order III, Rule 1 of the Standing Orders of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (Seventh Edition), argued that the sharp increase in the volume of commercial and domestic waste generated daily in the State, much of which is disposed in landfills or finds its way into gutters and drainage systems, thereby worsening flooding and environmental degradation.
In the ruling of the two motions, The Speaker of the Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikak Abasi Orok, to communicate the decision of the house to the Governor.
