Expectedly, activities resumed at the hallowed chambers of the IMO state House of Assembly, Owerri after the Ben Uwajumogu led 7th Assembly ended their four- tenureship as representatives of the 27 state constituencies in Imo elected into office in 2011. In serious contrast to what Nde IMO who are keen followers of the Assembly business used to experience , new personalities have taken over the affairs of the state legislature.
Nigeria’s democracy stands on a tripod of executive, legislative and judiciary arms of government though the first tenure of the Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha somehow introduced the fourth-tier otherwise known as the Community Government Council, CGC, an unknown innovation since re-advent of civilian rule. The legislature, a strategic arm of government kick started in Imo moments the Governor gave approval for the inauguration of the 8th House.
In a fun filled manner, the assembly complex in New Owerri was filled to capacity on June 12 2015 the governor is expected to pronounce the statements signaling commencement of the business of the House. Beyond the razzmatazz that characterised the take off was the election of the major principal officers of the House; the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. Irrespective of the challenging state of the Chamber which recorded casualties as a result of the choking air space, enthusiastic observers withstood the harsh atmosphere to witness the election of Acho Ihim and Ugonna Ozuruigbo as Speaker and Deputy respectively. Both ranking members are representing Okigwe and Nwangele State constituencies respectively.
Their elections aptly responded to pre-inauguration permutations that the two ranking members(lawmakers experiencing their second tenures) would grab the two prime positions.
The out gone lawmakers led by Uwajumogu apparently licking their wounds after unsavoury experience in the hands of the executive arm refused to cow to the whims and caprices of the number one citizen of the state who it was alleged induced the members to relax the ranking law that gives chances to returnee lawmakers to grab principal office positions ahead the new comers. Unconfirmed reports have it that the governor surreptitiously advocated for his loyalists in Chinedu Offor his former Commissioner and Deputy Chief Of Staff before winning the Onuimo seat to grab the plum job ahead to favourite,Ihim. Okorocha quick march out out of the Chamber after his pre-inauguration acclamation among other factors was his alleged intention not to witness the unavoidable coronation of Ihim as the new number one lawmaker in Imo assembly.
Further to the historic first day exercise was the final composition that saw to the selection of the Majority and Deputy majority leaders as well Minority and Deputy minority leaders. Other positions are that of Chief Whip and the Deputy Chief whp.
The composition of the principal officers has set ground running for the lawmakers who Imolites look up to for effective representation, good laws and proper oversight functions. More so the constituents who not only voted for them but trooped out en masse to witness the inauguration has started counting days in their four-year sprint.
Within few weeks of plenary sessions and legislative showpiece, shining lights believed to posses the magic to make house deliberations attractive are beginning to emerge. Those who have the zeal to write their names in goal and justify the confidence reposed on them by the electorates have appeared.
The speaker,Ihim and his deputy fondly called Ozb are in this rank. Though second missionary journey exponents, both have shown heartwarming capacity to supervise affairs of the House. Having overcome the inevitable stage fight of making pronouncements and hitting the gavel, the Okigwe lawmaker is on the track to prove his mettle in the days ahead. He has been to move ahead in identifying areas of need as it affects the interest of the state even as tongues are wagging that they are fast turning to the governor’s errand boys in ascertaining ghost workers instead of making laws to checkmate ghost workers in the state. Ozb however stands tall in service delivery. He has continued to re enact the impeccable legacies that endeared him into the hearts of Nwangle people who found him worthy for another term warranting a DS post. So far his constituents have started feeling Hus constituency reach out again. He has turned a tiger lawmaker by also showing why he is ranked
Among those who did not come to the hallowed Chamber to play the role of bench warmer is the member representing Oguta State constituency Henry Uzoma Ezediaro. Though he is facing tough challenges from the PDP candidate William Ezeikpe Ejiakor who is contesting his election in the election tribunal, the Oguta man on the first day showed class when he moved a motion that witnessed unprecedented support from others for adoption. Ezediaro’s motion was touchy as it is meant to challenge the inglorious practices of oil producing companies in the the state. If the motion receives pragmatic back up, the dwindling economic condition of the state and residents of the affected areas will improve if the companies comply to the spirit and latter of his motion.
Mention must be made the new Cicero of the House. Each session will always produce an oracle to not only dictate the pace but also offers direction of argument when knotty issues arise in the course of debates and discussion. Mike Iheanatu fits into this big shoe left vacant by the exit of Simeon Iwunze who represented Isiala Mbano in the immediate past dispensation. Iheanaetu, popularly known as Akwa akwuru is a second timer who is bringing his wealth of experience to give the present House a shape. It is common to watch other lawmakers focus their eyes on Akwa akwuru whenever he stands to contribute. The Aboh mbaise member vibrancy cannot pass unnoticed.
Also in the cadre is the Obowo state member Kennedy Ibe who has two motions in his kitty. Others who I also guess did not come to watch the maginificient House chamber built by Sam Mbakwe are the majority leader Lugard Osuji of Owerri municipal council. Osuji does not show apathy in contributing to debates. He is joined by Ogwudire of Ikeduru and the Nkwerre man,Chika Madumere. In the women folk, former commissioner Uche Ejiogu appears to be the amazon ahead her compatriots in the House.
As the House enters the nitty gritty of the job, Imolites are watching for the legislative matchmaker
Agwodinuju
WORKERS STRIKE AND THE REST OF IMOLITES
By now the, Imo State government would have fashioned a formula aimed at curtailing the new found radicalism which the organised labour in the state has adopted protecting its rights in recent times.
After witnessing a rather smooth run with the government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha in its first term, leading to a strike free session, another chapter in the government-workers relationship in Imo. To herald Okorocha’s second term journey that began on May 29, 2015, the organized labour comprising the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Nigeria Medical Association, NMA. Others are the JUHUSU and the NULGE, the umbrella body of local government workers embarked on warning strike.
Barley two months after Okorocha took another oath to serve, labour struck and activities in government ministries, departments and agencies grinded to a halt. It was a period of gnashing of teeth for many who had businesses to transact with government in the period of discomfort caused by the industrial action.
Some interesting developments that trailed the one week show of the workers’ Aluta continua attracted my attention. Initially, I had wanted to take on the labour leaders following a purported communique the workers reached with government early last month. A complaint from the pensioners who kicked against the content of the document labour leaders and government officials signed informed my decision to delve into the matter before the strike action. Another factor is that the workers stomached whatever the state government dished to them in the past four years forcing them not to down tools any day except for pockets of protests bordering on poor welfare conditions by some affected parastatals. The latest strike is therefore a case study.
The politicisation of the recent strike by government defense mechanism gave further thoughts about the styles employed by the Okorocha when found wanting in the act of governance. In response to a solidarity visit by selected youths who met him at the Government House, Owerri, Okorocha did inform the public that the workers strike was politically motivated adding that the state government will not hesitate to sack those who failed to return to their duty posts.
Ominous signs of a strained relationship between the labour and government began when the irregular payment of salaries deepened in the state. A thank you message the workers after voting the governor was non payment of salaries. As the harsh economic conditions deepened the workers were at the receiving end of lack of funds to run the state. The get out of the woods the state government sought for escape routes. Workers alleged that apart from plots to downsize the workforce their were also plans by government to slash the salaries of workers amidst non payment of areas. To apply this module, stories have it that government raised a committee to embark on verification and possible take over of on the spot payment. However, beyond the facade is grand design to reduce the salaries to about 50% which the governor’s mouthpiece denied.
However, the bubble burst when workers of the Imo state house of assembly opened the can of rejection trailing the planned slash of workers salaries. In the ensuing confusion, civil servants in ministries of agriculture, health and judiciary joined the war of salary cut when reports filtered in that their monthly take home has been tampered and reduced.
In the ensuing quagmire, labour unions came out. Further details reveal that the various bodies gathered to challenge the state government. The end result was an agreement the labour union representatives still insist it was a communiqué after a meeting with government officials. A critical study of the said communiqué indicates that the workers’ leaders may have imbibed self destructive tendencies. This view became pronounced when the pensioners addressed journalists in the state. The retired civil servants distanced their organisation from the so called communique. According to them the decision to allow government do another head count and agree that `the outstanding pensions for the previous months will be spread for a period of 36 months from August 2015` was unacceptable and breach of trust.
The claims of the pensioners opened a Pandora box to evaluate the forthrightness of the workers body to protect interest of its members against government aggressions. Part of the outrageous decision reached was that payment of outstanding salaries `is subject to the available bail out fund` The patatstals were not left out in the suspected betrayal by labour leaders when a clause suggested that the workers may forfeit salary arrears since the labour and government agreed that June salaries alone will be paid while outstanding will be spread for a period of six months with a caveat `if, however, the economic situation continues to be unfavourable Also I instead of making cases for health workers owed months of salary areas the union leaders who appended their signatures joined government to tackle their approach to duties by empowering concerned authorities to take action. Worse still health workers are at the verge of losing their CONHESS and CONMESS salary structure when labour agreed that if the worsening economic situation continues a review may occur. A more devastating approach is the issue of clause at the end which states that all issues that would lead to strike must be `exhaustively discussed by both parties before embarking on the last option
It was surprising when Okorocha and his lieutenants returned to their traditional blame game when pushed to the wall. Since workers who are owed salaries running into months will be willing tools in the hands of shadow opposition to embark on strike, government should better make public their party registration numbers for proper authentication. Accusation levelled at a top career civil servant that he was instrumental to the pro government rally which greeted the workers strike is somehow debasing. I join in prayers that the impasse be settled for the good of Imo
