NEWS
ABIA ASSEMBLY MOVES TO CURB COMMUNITY VIOLENCE AND NOISE POLLUTION AS LAWMAKERS TABLE CRUCIAL MOTIONS, DEFER POVERTY ALLEVIATION BILL
…as Speaker to Engage Mayors across LGAs to Ensure Strict Enforcement of these Regulations at the Grassroots Level.
The Abia State House of Assembly has taken significant legislative steps aimed at addressing pressing security and environmental concerns across the state, as members deliberated on key motions and legislative proposals during plenary.
The House was formally notified of H.A.M 20, a motion calling on the Abia State Government to take over the Erei Palm Plantation Farm Settlement located in Okon Aku, Ohafia. The motion, sponsored by Hon. Kalu Mba Nwoke, who represents Ohafia South State Constituency, seeks urgent government intervention to forestall further bloodshed and recurring violent crises that have plagued the community.
Lawmakers were urged to study the motion extensively ahead of its formal presentation on a future legislative date, signaling the Assembly’s intent to carefully consider measures that could restore peace and stability in the affected area.
In a related development, the House considered H.A.M 49, a motion focused on regulating the use of loud outdoor speakers in residential areas across Abia State. The motion, sponsored by Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu of Aba Central State Constituency, was presented on the floor and sparked discussions on the growing concern of noise pollution within urban and semi-urban communities.
The motion called on the House to urge the State Government, through the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) and other relevant bodies, to enforce existing noise control laws to ensure that sound levels in residential areas do not exceed 55 decibels between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
It also emphasized the need for a statewide public awareness campaign to educate residents, religious bodies, and organizations on responsible sound usage, including the adoption of soundproofing measures and moderation in the use of loudspeakers.
Furthermore, the motion advocated for the designation of specific zones for open-air loudspeaker activities, aimed at striking a balance between citizens’ rights to worship and assemble, and the fundamental right of residents to peace, quiet, and a healthy environment.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ihuoma Emeruwa, clarified that enforcement of existing noise control laws falls within the jurisdiction of Local Government Authorities. He disclosed that the Assembly would engage with Mayors across the Local Government Areas to ensure strict enforcement of these regulations at the grassroots level.
Meanwhile, the House also deferred the second reading of H.A.B 29, the Abia State Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund Bill, 2025, also sponsored by Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu, to a later legislative date. The postponement indicates that further legislative scrutiny and consultations may be required before the bill progresses.
The day’s proceedings reflect the Assembly’s growing focus on tackling community conflicts, promoting environmental sanity, and strengthening institutional frameworks for sustainable development across Abia State.