The Bishop of Awka Catholic Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, has called for synergy between the executive and legislative arms of the state to promote the common good of the people.
Bishop Ezeokafor stated this last Tuesday during the first plenary sitting of the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly which was inaugurated on June 12 this year.
At the event which was kicked-started with an Episcopal Holy Mass, presided over by Ezeokafor, at the Assembly Complex, the bishop seized the opportunity to speak to the House on a number of pertinent issues, Fr Constantine Echichechi Okoli reports.
The Bishop praised the members and, especially, the speaker, Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, for recognizing that ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain.’ (Psalm 127:1)
The Prelate who is known for his pastoral ingenuity and wisdom, pleaded with members of the House to do all within their reach to work for a strong bond of unity in society and in Anambra State.
‘Irrespective of the means through which you got into this position of service, the common purpose is the good of Ndi Anambra. Harmony must be pursued among the legislators and with the governor, your political affiliations notwithstanding.
‘In the enactment of laws, assurance of transparency in policy making and the maintenance of checks and balances, the Legislators play key roles,’ Bishop Ezeokafor urged them.
He said that since variety spiced life, when intelligent and educated people disagreed over issues, they should allow superior arguments to prevail so that something good could emerge.
More still, Bishop Ezeokafor called on members of the House to be prompt and eager to promote bills that encourage the protection of life and property, security, and the promotion of human. The Bishop made it particular reference to the law on control of burial/funeral ceremonies in Anambra State which was aimed at endorsing befitting living as against befitting burials.
He maintained that such laws were important in order to re-create an environment where those bereaved of their beloved ones were not overburdened with man-made difficulties and abuse of wealth. The Bishop averred that the law had implications on security and policy making because what human beings promoted and insisted on created values and shaped societies.
Finally, the visibly concerned Prelate drew the attention of the members on the need to always do oversight functions to enable them to expose corruption, inefficiency, or waste in the execution or administration of laws within their legislative competence and the disbursement and administration of funds.
The Bishop charged the members of the House to rally round the Speaker and give him maximum support.
At the end of the Mass, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, thanked the Bishop and promised to do his best to promote the common interest of the people.
The highlight of the event was the donation of the booklet, “A Law to Control Burial/Funeral Ceremonial Activities in Anambra State”, by the Bishop to all who were present at the Mass.
