By Onyekachi Eze
Apparently concerned with the activities and progress of the State government, led by governor Hope Uzodinma, Imo State House of Assembly has made another bold step by redesignating the former Ministry of Technology Development, to its original nomenclature of ‘Ministry of Science and Technology’.
The changes were made yesterday during the plenary session of the House, where they resolved to urge the governor to expedite action to redesignate the Ministry of Technology Development, to now read; Ministry of Science and Technology.
Recall that the name was changed from what it used to be during the eight months stay of the ousted PDP governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.
Presenting the motion, the Chief mover and member representing Aboh Mbaise State constituency, Hon Eddy Obinna opined that from the name, Imo State was almost cut off from getting the Federal Government and World Bodies intervention.
He disclosed that the State stands better chances of obtaining such grants if the name returns to its original nomenclature.
Part of the prayers said;
“Whereas State Ministries of Science and Technology in the country recieve grants from the Federal government and possibly, from bilateral/World bodies;
“Observing with regrets that Imo State is being denied such facilities due to adoption of wrong and incomplete nomenclature of ministry of technology development, instead of ministry of Science and technology;
“Noticing that Imo State has been put to serious disadvantage and backwardness in the development of Science and technology, when compared with other States of the federation that access grants from FGN/World bodies”.
Hon Eddy Obinna however retorted that at the stage Imo is, such wrong names shouldn’t be a barrier from getting good tidings due for the State.
Contributing, the member for Owerri North, Hon Philip Ejiogu commented that in the right sense, what the Federal character recognizes is ministry of science and technology, and not the other way round.
His Orlu counterpart, Hon. Paschal Okolie said since the change of name at first didn’t brought anything meaningful for the State, it would be paramount to queue in to the World’s best practices, hence his strong support for the motion.
It would be recalled that the chief mover of the motion, Hon Eddy Obinna has never left any stone unturned in maintaining true legislation geared towards the development of the State.
