By: Citizen Iwuoha Samuelson
IMO ASSEMBLY MOVES TO MAKE SOCIAL SECURITY IDENTITY NUMBER MANDATORY
……….. TWO BILLS PASS FIRST READING
………. HOUSE GOES ON RECESS
………. TO RESUME PLENARY ON THE 26th OF SEPTEMBER 2023
By : Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha
Moved by patriotism and the need for consolidated socioeconomic and political development for the State, and its accrued benefits to the people of Imo State, the Imo State House Of Assembly has urged the Imo State Government to make Social Security Identity Number mandatory for all Imo citizens and residents in the State.
Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Owerri North State Constituency, Hon. Kelechi Ofurum explained that the Imo State Social Security Identity Number, ISSSIN, is a unique identification number which residents and indigenes of the State should obtain and utilize for every of their transaction with the State Government, pointing out that it would help in creating a Database of residents and citizens in the State, which would ensure a more inclusive Government , and for everyone in the State to enjoy more dividends of democracy.
According to Hon Kelechi Ofurum, “The awareness and sensitization for the last concluded exercise was poor. Data centre for the State has become a problem, so there is need to capture the database of the rural areas. In overseas, you can’t do anything, including Bank transaction etc, without the Social Security Identity Number. It will also help the State Government to know the population of residents in the State, and assist in the distribution of palliatives across the State. We have a lot to gain, in terms of knowing who comes into the State, and who goes out “. Hon Kelechi Ofurum submitted, and called on his Honourable Colleagues to support the Motion.
The Motion which was seconded by the Chief Whip and Member Representing Oru-East State Constituency, Hon Chigozie Nwaner
i, was co-sponsored by Hon Benneth Ebonine (Njaba State Constituency), Hon Ugochukwu Obodo (Owerri Municipal State Constituency), Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu (Ezinihitte Mbaise State Constituency) and Hon Engr Bernard Ozoemenam (Ehime Mbano State Constituency).
Supporting the Motion, Hon Barrister Sir Chisom Ojukwu (Oyinatumba), Member Representing Nkwerre State Constituency, said it was timely and that every Imo citizen should endeavour to obtain and use it for every of their transaction with the government. Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu also commended His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma for initiating and coming up with the unique identification number, arguing that the Motion would be for the betterment of Ndimo.
Oyinatumba also said that the use of Social Security Identity Number would ensure the uniqueness, authenticity and accuracy of every information obtained about residents and indigenes of Imo State. He further argued that it would help Government to plan ahead of time, budgeting, planning, savings and provision of basic amenities which are very essential to the human development of our people, and create a database of residents and citizens in the State, so that democratic dividends would get to the nooks and crannies of our various communities, thereby strengthening democracy.
For the Majority Leader and Member Representing Owerri West State Constituency, Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, he emphasized on the importance of Social Security Identity Number in the society, maintaining that it would help the State Government checkmate rising crime in the state, and to know the statistics of every activities in our various local government areas, and also help the Police and DSS to fight insecurity in the State.
For Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu, Member Representing Ezinihitte Mbaise State Constituency, he explained that Social Security Identity Number , when fully adopted, would ensure population census would no longer be a challenge, and will do a lot in controlling crime in the State. Also, Civil Servants will not encounter challenges or obstacles in receiving their salaries.
For Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, Chief Whip and Member Representing Oru -East), ” The Motion on Social Security Identity Number should be supported by all. In oversea countries, like United States Of America, before you can function, you must have Social Security Identity Number. In due time we can put our heads together to put up a Bill on Social Security Identity Number. Without it, you don’t exist”. It is also used to know the number of New Born babies in a given locality.
Hon Chief Barrister Sam Osuji (Ohazurume ) took out time to give kudos to the mover of the motion and to commend the State Governor for initiating the scheme, describing it as a product of social awareness, development and benefit inclusiveness that is embedded in the 3-R Digital Economy Agenda.
According to Hon Chief Sam Osuji, “Imo State should have Social Security Identity Number. It is a must have. It is not for APC, PDP or any other political party. Nevertheless, it is politically, culturally, socially and indeed, economically correct to have it with the database of the State. “
Ohazurume maintained that “this is your franchise, so go and get it. If you don’t have it, you have disenfranchised yourself. It is all benefits for Ndimo. It is a Motion that will bring Joy, Happiness, Love And Compassion for Ndimo. Let us embrace the Social Security Identity Number scheme in all its entirety, for it makes easier for our growth and development”.
The Isiala Mbano lawmaker went further to list some of the benefits one can assess with the Social Security Identity Number, as follows
- Empowerment stipends.
- Enrollment and Registration of your children into public schools.
- Shop Allocations .
- Access to public healthcare facilities .
- Government loans and approvals.
- Transfer of Real Estate Properties and its title.
- Vehicle Registration and change of its ownership.
- Purchase of Land and Certificates of Occupancy .
Other Honourable Members who contributed in support of the Motion included, Hon Uzoma Francis Osuoha, Member Representing Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency,. Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie, Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency,. Hon Chief Barrister Dominic Ezerioha, Member Representing Oru-west State Constituency. Hon Okey Udeze, Member Representing Ideato North State Constituency. Hon Chief Eddy Obinna, Deputy Whip and Member Representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency.
After listening to the contributions of the Honourable Members to the Motion, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, Mr Speaker Ruled that the House should urge the Imo State Government to make Imo State Social Security Identity Number Mandatory for All residents and citizens, and that the Executive Governor Of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma should mandate the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government, the Imo State Data Management Center and other related Agencies and Parastatals to ensure the implementation. Also, the House further resolved that the Director General of Imo State Orientation Agency be directed to carry out vigorous Public Awareness campaign and sensitization exercise to make the exercise known to all Imolites, through the required medium at various locations, villages and communities.
Also, Mr Speaker constituted and announced a 5-Man Adhoc Committee of the House to oversight the process as follows:
- Hon Kelechi Ofurum, as Chairman
- Hon Chief Barrister Sam Osuji
- Hon Chief Barrister Dominic Ezerioha
- Hon Obinna Egu PhD
- Hon Chief James Uba Esile Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe further thereafter directed the Clerk to communicate the resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.
Also, Two Bills passed through the first reading.
A Bill for a Law to further Amend the Imo State Public Procurement Law No.12 of 2010, Chiefly sponsored by Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie and co-sponsored by Hon Ugochukwu Obodo, Hon Barrister Sir Chisom Ojukwu and Hon Benneth Ebonine.
And A Bill for a Law to Amend the Imo State College Of Education Law No. 11 Of 2010, Chiefly sponsored by Hon Engr Bernard Ozoemenam and co-sponsored by Rt Honourable Barrister Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh, Rt Honourable Chief Samuel Chidiebere Ogbunikpa, Hon Chief Barrister Sam Osuji, Hon Kelechi Ofurum and Hon Chief James Uba Esile.
The House adjourned for its annual recess, and will resume Plenary on the 26th Of September 2023.
