Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra on Monday called for productive partnership while inaugurating and issuing the proclamation of the functionality of the 8th State House of Assembly.

Speaking at the Proclamation/Inauguration ceremony at the Assembly Chamber in Awka, Mr Soludo said the legislature was a crucial partner in the quest for good governance.

He said: “I congratulate our newly inaugurated legislators. Irrespective of your different party affiliations, you have been employed by the people to ensure that Anambra blossoms.

“The executive, the legislature and the judiciary, must work in a collaboratively, coordinative and cooperative way to achieve project Anambra by making the state liveable and prosperous.

“If you all act fully in accordance with the oath of office and allegiance you have taken, I’m sure that Anambra will have the most productive legislature in the country.

“It is a new productive partnership and as the head of the executive arm of government, I am ready so that we can achieve our common goal which is a greater Anambra.”

Before the inauguration, Somtochukwu Udeze, representing Ogbaru Constituency ll, a third term serving legislator, emerged the speaker, while Chukwuma Okoye, representing Awka South ll emerge the Deputy Speaker of the House.

In his acceptance speech, Speaker of the House, Mr Udeze, promised to improve the welfare and security of the people through developmental-oriented bills and motions as well as serve as an effective watchdog of the state’s commonwealth.

“I am grateful to my colleagues for electing me as the Speaker.

“The 8th Assembly under my watch will forster a relationship with the executive and the judiciary based and cooperation and mutual respect.

“I sincerely look forward to a relationship of healthy inter-dependence where each arm approaches one another as a responsible partner in governance.

“We shall ensure the development of appropriate legislative templates for addressing the numerous challenges in our state,” he said.

The Speaker also read the letter from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on the nominees for principal officers as the party with the majority in the Assembly.

He, however, said the letter would be considered at the next adjourned date which is July 11.

The 30 members of the 8th assembly comprised of eight lawmakers re-elected from the seventh assembly and 22 new lawmakers.

The ruling APGA has 16 members, Labour Party secured seven seats, the Peoples Democratic Party secured four seats while the Young Progressives Party won three seats.

(NAN)