AFTERMATH OF SUSPENSION: IMO ASSEMBLY RECONVENES AMIDST TIGHT SECURITY
•SUSPENDED MEMBERS AVOID COMPLEX
•AS SPEAKER INAUGURATES 7-MAN APPEAL COMMITTEE
Members of Imo State House of Assembly have returned for Legislative businesses, six days after the suspension gavel hit on some of the Lawmakers over what the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem described as “unparliamentary conduct”.
The last Thursday’s sitting did not end well, as all the persons inside the Assembly temporary site, along the Heroes Square boulevard experienced palpable fear, orchestrated by the sporadic gun shots as a result of the tension caused by the suspension of Honorables; Dominic Ezerioha (Oru West, APC ), Kennedy Ibeh (Obowo, APC ), Philip Ejiogu (Owerri North, PDP), Uche Ogbuagu (Ikeduru, APC), Michael Onyemaechi Njoku (Ihitte/Uboma, APC), Anyadike Nwosu (Ezinihitte Mbaise, PDP).
The news therefore is not that they sat for Tuesday’s plenary, but the presence of heavy security operatives.
Trumpeta Newspaper monitored that security was beefed up in the premises.
Among the strategies for accreditation into the complex was the House of Assembly recognized identity cards. Failure to present it leads to automatic denial of entry.
After passing through the security check at the gate, entrance into the chambers was another difficult task so much that it was only few members of the Press Corps and Assembly workers that were allowed entry.
Similar scenario occurred during yesterday’s sitting, and information obtained by this Newspaper was that the House Leadership insisted on enforcing the suspension of the six members.
Recall that after their suspension, the affected members threatened to continue coming for sittings until the Speaker explained what he meant by “unparliamentary conduct”.
It could be that in exercising his powers, hence, the strict instructions that persons entering into the House complex be thoroughly checkmated.
Trumpeta Correspondent also observed that against their insistence that they were suspended ‘unjustly’, non of the suspended Lawmakers were spotted anywhere around the building Housing the State Legislature.
Some of the aides to the embattled Lawmakers were conspicuously absent.
The predominant security question posed to all visitors of the complex were “which LGA are you from? Which Constituency are you going to?”
The question has further raised serious worry suggesting that persons from either of the LGAs of the suspended House Members might not be allowed inside to avoid ‘had I known’.
In a related development, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem at the Tuesday session inaugurated the Appeal Committee to look into the suspension of the Six Lawmakers.
The Appeal Committee is made up of Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu as the Chairma, Hon. Johnson Iheonukara Duru (Vice Chairman). Members include; Hons; Uju Onwudiwe, Obinna Okwara, Kanayo Dele Onyemaechi, Emeka Nduka, and Tochi Okereke.
According to the Speaker, the Committee is expected to return their report within one month from July 13, 2021.
NDUKA’S BILL ON ESTABLISHMENT OF AGRIC RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AGENCY SCALES SECOND READING
The Imo State House of Assembly Bill seeking for the establishment of Imo State Agency for Agricultural Research, Development, Demonstration and partnership, and for other connected purposes has passed its second reading at the floor of the House.
The private-member bill stands in the name of Hon. Barr Emeka Nduka, member representing Ehime Mbano in the State parliament.
It is aimed at ensuring food security through bio-technological research ,revenue generation, and job creation in Imo State.
Leading the debate on Tuesday’s plenary session, July 13, 2021, Hon. Emeka Nduka pointed out the bill is aimed at ending seasonal planting in Imo State.
He said that when passed into Law, the State would have no reason to depend any longer elsewhere for food sufficiency, as through the irrigation system, variety of food items would be planted in the different zones of Imo.
Emeka Nduka who doubles as the Deputy Majority Leader of the Imo 9th House of Assembly cited the experience during the ENDSARS protest, where commodities like onions, cow meat, rice, were scarce.
On that note, he stated that if passed into Law, most of the hectares of Lands laying fallow across the State would be put into good use, for mechanized Agriculture.
He opined that through irrigation system, there won’t be any more need for rotational planting. Adding, he submitted that with the dwindling economy of the Country and with the drop in oil prices, only agriculture is the panacea.
Expressing optimism that the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma would embrace the bill and assent it into Law considering his love for people oriented bills and motions, Nduka reiterated that the State stands a chance of better survival and food safety.
Speaking about the relevance of research in the modern day agriculture, Hon. Nduka opined that the agency will be saddled with the responsibility of making research, development, and dissemination of results on agricultural practices.
According to the bill, some of the functions of the Agency when established are;
Seed multiplication resultant from Research and distribution of high yielding and early maturing crops, plants to farmers On reasonable costs; ldentification and resuscitation of all Agro Services Centres in the State and other abandoned Agricultural formations for full Commercial Agricultural food productions in the State; Full mechanisation and commercialisation of Agricultural operations for food production and distribution; Processing, Preservation and distribution of Agricultural products;
Export of excessive Agricultural products; Direct partnerships with bona fide farmers in the State for massive food production; Direct partnership with foreign investors in
Agricultural sector in collaboration with ISIPA; Food production through
Agricultural volunteerism and co-operative societies; Dry season/irrigation system cultivation and food production; Experimentation on fertilizer blending, in- organic and organic, through the use of local content; Experimentation on animal feed production, using local content.
Contributing, Honorables; Uju Onwudiwe (Njaba), Chigozie Nwaneri (Oru East), Obinna Okwara (Nkwerre), Johnson Duru (Ideato South), Ngozi Obiefule (Isu), Paschal Okolie (Orlu), commended the Chief sponsor of the bill for thinking deep and coming out with the bill.
They all agreed that agriculture is the only headway for economic sustainability.
In their respective assertions, they posited that through the research agency, it would dictate a particular place and zone to produce what, through which the State will be widely known for producing variety of foods, just as Ebonyi State is known for rice production.
They added that many of Imo youths are eager to venture into farming, but only needed support of the the Government to thrive.
After the debate, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem constituted an ad-hoc Committee and to report back in the next two weeks.
The Committee is to be headed by Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins, and Hon. Samuel Ogbunikpa as Vice Chairman. Members are; Hons.; Chigozie Nwaneri, Solomon Anukam, Ngozi Obiefule.
UCHE OGBUAGU OPENS UP AGAINST SPEAKER’S MALTREATMENT
Following the shocking suspension of six members of the Imo State House of Assembly last week Thursday by the Leadership of the House, Hon. Uche Ogbuagu representing Ikeduru State Constituency has opened can of worms.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem had during the plenary session of July 8, 2021 suspended the following members for what he termed, “unparliamentary conduct”.
They are; Honorables; Dominic Ezerioha (Oru West), Kennedy Ibeh (Obowo), Philip Ejiogu (Owerri North), Uche Ogbuagu (Ikeduru), Michael Onyemaechi Njoku (Ihitte/Uboma), Anyadike Nwosu (Ezinihitte Mbaise).
The development, Trumpeta Assembly Vibes observed has sparked off worry among political pundits and affected LGAs.
However, the Ikeduru Legislator has taken time to reveal his ordeals in the House since after his removal from the Majority Leader position.
In a media release signed by Hon. Uche Ogbuagu, obtained by this Newspaper, he revealed that since after his removal as Majority Leader, the Speaker has been disapproving all his motions and petitions coming to the Chambers.
Ogbuagu further explained that among all the Lawmakers, he is the only one without any Committee assigned to him by Speaker Paul Emeziem.
Also, he said that he was never been given the opportunity to speak on the floor of the House, yet, he remained committed to the Legislative tenets, with the sole aim of representing Ikeduru people effectively.
Briefing his constituents through the press release, Hon. Ogbuagu said, “As your Legislator in the State Assembly, I have not ceased to exercise my responsibility in defending and pleading the Ikeduru course at the hallowed chambers during each plenary. The volume of work I have done legislatively, my oversight functions, coupled with the projects sited across Ikeduru has clearly shown that my being voted into office has been justified up to a reasonable extent that even my critics can attest to this fact”.
“It still beats my imagination the reasons adduced for labeling my representation as un-parliamentary conduct;.
“Since my inauguration on June 13, 2019, by the Grace of God, I have executed 54 people oriented verifiable projects across Ikeduru and our neighbouring Mbaitoli;
“I was elected as Majority Leader in March 2020. I held this position and discharged my duties creditably. Even at my unceremonial removal the year after, by Speaker Paul Emeziem, no reason has been given for that action till date, yet I did not allow it to derail my spirit or affect my legislative assignments”.
The Ikeduru Lawmaker reiterated that on that fateful Thursday inside the Chambers, he neither opened his mouth, nor raised his hands up, until his name appeared as the fourth person in the suspension list of the Speaker.
He re-echoed that he has not done any wrong, legislatively, stressing that he won’t be deterred in exercising to the fullest, the mandate legitimately given to him by Ikeduru people.
Part of the release further stated,
“It still remains a mystery to me, so I considered it wise to let my Ikeduru people know the true position, while we look forward to hearing from Speaker Paul Emeziem to expatiate on what he meant by un-parliamentary conduct in line with the relevant sections of the Federal constitution of Nigeria and Imo Legislative Assembly Rules;
“I am a bold, audacious and courageous Ikeduruan who knows that even at National level, our LGA has notable and responsible people in politics, some dead and many alive;
“I owe it to you, a responsibility to render to you, sterling representation which will in turn bring developmental projects as never seen before in Ikeduru as envy,avarice, hatred, gagging, blackmail and calumny will never deter me, I promise”.
IMHA AMENDS STATE MARKETS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY LAW, AWAITS ASSENT
The 9th House of Imo State Assembly has amended the Markets Development Authority Law No. 33 of 2019.
The amendment was sponsored and presented at the floor of the House yesterday, July 14, 2021, by the Majority Leader, and Member representing Owerri West State Constituency, Hon. Kanayo Dele Onyemaechi.
According to the Majority Leader, the Principal Law was amended by deleting paragraph (b) of Section 18, and renumbering the ensuing paragraphs accordingly.
Adding, Hon. Onyemaechi averred that section 18(b) of the principal Law had stipulated that 3% of the State and Local Government Joint Account be given to the Market Development Authority, to add up to the already 10% deducted from all revenues collected from all the markets in the State.
He disclosed that the said section 18(b) of the old Law was through the amendment passed yesterday by the House expunged the 3% been given to the Authority.
Continuing, the Owerri West representative opined that the Governor of Imo, Hope Uzodinma is determined to work, and ensure that the patrimony belonging to the State is judiciously used.
Supporting the amendment of the bill, the Deputy Speaker and member for Nwangele State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu described the bill as apt, adding that the allotted 10% would still serve a great purpose, other than adding another 3%•
Contributing, while addressing House Correspondents, the newly emerged Chief Whip and member representing Nkwerre State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Obinna Okwara explained that the bill remains a working document, except for the section 18(b) which deleted the 3% added to the 10% allocated to the Markets Authority.
Hon. Okwara disclosed that the Market Authority has been functioning since 2019, saddled with the duties of managing and taking care of all markets in Imo State.
He reiterated that the essence of the 10% mapped out for the Authority is to help them with adequate funding of respective markets.
Hon Ngozi Obiefule (Isu) and Hon. Uju Onwudiwe also okayed the amendment, saying that the reserved 3% would go a long way in other fields.
