By Anthonia Odido
The eight members from Cross River State representing federal constituencies in the ninth House of Representatives have contributed only 1.03 percent of the 1,365 bills introduced on the floor of the house says a midterm report by civil society organisation, OrderPaper.
This means the members who constitute just 2.22% of the 360 member parliament sponsored an average of 1.75 bills in two years from June 2019 to May 2021 even though one member accounted for 50% of the 14 bills sponsored while three failed to sponsor at least one bill.
In the infographic shared by OrderPaper and obtained by CrossRiverWatch, Legor Idagbo who represents Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra federal constituency sponsored a total of seven bills making him the highest from the State. This represented 50%. However, all the bills were introduced in the first legislative year.
Mr. Idagbo is followed by Eta Mbora, (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani) who sponsored three (3) representing 21.43% and Alex Egbona (Yakurr/Abi) and with two bills representing 14.29%.
Michael Etaba, (Obubra/Etung) and Jarigbe Agom (Ogoja/Yala) both have one bills to their credit in two years meaning the fell below the State average of 1.75. Both bills were presented in the first legislative session and represent 7.14% for each lawmaker.
While, Essien Ekpenyong Ayi, (Calabar South/Akpabuyo/Bakassi); Daniel Effiong Asuquo, (Akamkpa/Biase) and Christopher Ngoro Agibe, (Ikom/Boki) failed to sponsor at least one bill in the period under review.