From Marcel Duru, Owerri
In appreciation of the confidence the Governor of Imo State has in the Legislative Arm Of Government, by acting on its recommendations to issue Staff of Office to 63 deserving Traditional Rulers recently, the Imo State House Of Assembly has commended His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma. Presenting the Motion, the Chief Sponsor and Member Representing Ideato-North State Constituency, Hon Okey Ernest Udeze, explained that by exhibiting the confidence he has in Imo State House Of Assembly and acted on the House recommendations, Governor Uzodimma has achieved another milestone. Hon Udeze, who is also the House Committee Chairman On Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, noted that “it is the responsibility of the Imo State House Of Assembly to screen, verify and recommend, accordingly, the eligibility of Autonomous Communities, with its designated and elected Ezes (Traditional Rulers) and consequently forward recommendations to the Executive for the final approval and recognitions.”
Hon Udeze further noted that there is now joy in those Autonomous Communities as the Traditional Rulers, who are the Chief security Officers, would take better charge of things, thereby reducing tension. Calling on his Distinguished Honourable Colleagues to lend their voices to the Motion, the only voice from Ideato-North in the Assembly called for the creation of more Autonomous Communities, arguing that doing so would bring peace, growth, stability and development to those areas. The Motion which was seconded by Hon Chief Engr. Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam, the Member Representing Ehime Mbano Constituency, was co-sponsored by the following 7 Lawmakers: Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji.Hon Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie. Hon Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu.Hon Henry Agbasonu.Hon Prince Obinna Ambrose Egu.The Majority Leader and Member Representing Owerri-west State Constituency, Hon Chief Kanayo Onyemaechi and the Deputy Majority Leader and Member Representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency, Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji made commendable contributions to the debate.
For Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, “History was made as 63 Autonomous Communities had their Ezes recognized and Staff of Office given to them by the Governor. This shows that the governor has listening ears and respects decisions and recommendations of the State Assembly. We also plead with the governor to create more Autonomous Communities, as a way to develop these areas”For Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji, “These Communities can now stand with pride and say they have Traditional Rulers. His Excellency has done noble and should be commended for exhibiting this confidence by acting on the recommendations of the House to issue Staff of Office to these Traditional Rulers. I also support the call for new Autonomous Communities to be created because there are those who see their community as too large to be ruled by one Eze. Creation of new Autonomous Communities will bring further development, peace and growth in these areas.” Satisfied with contributions from Honourable Members, the Speaker Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, who presided, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted.
Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :Be It Resolved That This Honourable House Do Commend The Governor Of Imo State, His Excellency Distinguished Senator (Dr) Hope Uzodimma For Giving Staff Of Office To The Deserving Traditional Rulers In Imo State.Be It Also Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency Distinguished Senator (Dr)Hope Uzodimma, The Executive Governor Of Imo State, To Consider The Creation Of New Autonomous Communities, To Ensure That The Grassroot Is Carried Along In The Scheme Of Things. The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency, the Governor.
