The last two bills that passed through the legislative processes to the stage of becoming a law by the Imo State House of Assembly were laws to establish micro, small, medium industries; as well as for development agency.
The House, led by Speaker Chiji Collins embarked on annual recess, and to resume on the 29th September, 2020.
The two bills mentioned above were debated and passed into law.
The two Executive bills were presented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Uche Ogbuagu.
The first was House of Assembly bill number 67; A bill for a law to establish the Imo State micro, small and medium industries development agency and for other related matters.
The second also was House of Assembly bill number 68; A bill for a law to establish a bureau to coordinate, supervise and monitor projects undertaken by donors/development partners in Imo State.
The two bills passed into law, according to the mover was targeted at strengthening the economic life of the State.
Ogbuagu stated that activities of the agencies would be highly checkmated, as well as combating substandard products.
“With the two bills, it will create jobs, and help in harnessing untapped talents”.
Apart from that, the law is said to boost rural development, by decongesting the cities.
The Imo State Micro, Small, Medium Industries Development Agency as gathered will enable the state to access funds from various Central Bank of Nigeria intervention funds, multilateral agencies, and international financial institutions.
“The agency will play government’s key role in raising capital for lending to SMEs in the state, thereby building the capacity to operate successful business”.
“The Bill will help boost agro-based financing and also provide micro finance facilities on a short and long term basis. It will also provide guarantees to micro, small, and medium enterprise financing as may be expedient, while also providing infrastructure and capacity building for micro, small and medium enterprises.”
EGWIM CRIES OUT, TASKS IMO GOVT ON POOR ROADS NETWORK IN IDEATO
Member representing Ideato North State constituency in the Imo House of Assembly, Hon. Barr. Arthur Egwim has called on the State government to come to their rescue before they are finally cut off from accessing the roads.
He made this passionate appeal last Wednesday, July 29, 2020 while presenting a motion of urgent public importance.
The motion was on the poor state of roads in Ideato Nation, especially the roads in his constituency, Ideato North.
According to Egwim, they may be caged inside their houses any moments from now if nothing serious is done.
He recalled that during the past administration of Rochas Okorocha, the then government constructed some of the roads, even though he said they didn’t meet up to standard.
The Assembly Chief Whip opined that since then, they only witness drastic erosion menace which has eaten deep into the roads surface.
“As I speak, there is no road in my hometown. Places like Isiokpo, and other communities are at the receiving end”.
He continued, “the worst is that all running waters from our neighbouring villages of Anambra State deposits in our own locality, thereby causing us more harm”.
Even as he commended the governor for his perceived vision in developing the State, he asked that government expedite action on the dilapidated roads.
RECESS KEEPS MOTIONS WAITING:
Following the ongoing recess of the members of the Imo State House of Assembly which began on the 29 July, 2020 after the day’s plenary session, there were motions yet to be addressed.
Due to time constraints on the part of the sitting time, 3 motions were skipped to make room for the accelerated passage of the bills.
The first motion on the Order Paper was chiefly sponsored by Hon Solomon Anukam, and co-sponsored by 5 others.
It was tagged, “Motion urging His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma to direct the Commissioner for health to consult wealthy Imo citizens to partner with the State government in upgrading the specialist hospital, Owerri”.
Second on the paper was a motion by Hon Johnson Duru, member for Ideato South LGA, co-sponsored by 7 others.
It was a motion to urge the governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma to urgently stop the sand excavation causing gully erosion in Umuojisi community in Ideato South LGA.
Lastly was brought by the member representing Obowo State constituency, Hon. Barr. Kennedy Ibeh. It was co-sponsored by 12 other colleagues.
The House of Assembly Motion number 130 reads, “A motion to urge the governor of Imo State, Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodinma to provide basic infrastructural development and to revoke all parcels of land (therein) allocated to developers who have failed to comply with the terms, intent and purposes of the land allocation”.
IMHA BILLS UNDER FIRST & SECOND READING
The major function of elected lawmakers either in the higher or lower chambers of the State or National Assemblies is lawmaking.
This is done by following the constitutional laid down legislative procedures.
In Imo State, the members are not left out as many bills have passed into law, and duly assented by the governor.
The following bills however are either on the first reading or second.
H. A. B 28: A bill for a law to repeal the Imo State Cooperative Societies Registration and Operations law, and to enact a new law and other matters connected thereto. This is chiefly sponsored by Hon Uju Onwudiwe (first reading).
H. A. B 30: A bill for a law to make it compulsory for children of public servants to study in schools in Nigeria and other related matters thereto. Sponsored by Hon Uju Onwudiwe (first reading).
H. A. B 13: A bill for a law to halt foreign medical tourism for public servants in Imo State and for other matters connected thereto, chiefly sponsored by Hon Uju Onwudiwe (second reading).
Others are;
H. A. B 36: A bill for a law to amend the Imo State fire service bureau law No. 12 of 2019 and other related matters, sponsored by Hon Michael Onyemaechi Njoku (second reading).
H. A. B 61: A bill for a law to domesticate the compulsory treatment and care for victims of gunshots act 2017 and for other related matters, chiefly sponsored by Hon Philip Ejiogu (second reading).
