By: Doris Oliver
The 10th Imo State House of Assembly seems to have switched gears and may not be in the mood of business as usual as it has begun the year with very far reaching resolutions one of which is to recover it’s parliamentary quarters illegally acquired and renamed Heroes Appartments.
The resolution is sequel to a motion titled “Motion to Urge the Executive Governor of Imo State His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma to Immediately recover the Imo State House of Assembly Parliamentary Quarters”which was chiefly sponsored by the member for Orlu State Constituency Hon Barr Ikenna Ihezuo and nine other members.
The mover of the motion who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on House Services frowned at a situation where the assets of the Imo legislature has been illegally acquired by private business enterprises and the proceeds unaccounted for since 2011.
Hon Ihezuo who was literally angered by the situation considered it an act of criminality and wondered why a government would enter into a contract with out any form of documentation and considered it a fraud on the common treasury of Imo people.
In his word, ” I took time to go through records of the Assembly, and shockingly, there was no House resolution or Agreement whereby the House resolved to cede away the said property. More worrisome is the fact that the illegal conversation had impacted negatively on Honourable Members and staff of the Assembly, as many of us live in rented apartments and even hotels, whereas we had free quarters constitutionally provided for us. I have a burden that the right thing is done. The quarters should be
recovered. “
Commenting on the motion, the member for Oguta Hon Gilbert Nwosu opinionated, ” i see this illegal conversion of the quarters as an anomaly. I therefore urge his Excellency to use every organ of government to recover this property for us. “
For Hon Francis Osuoha, of Ohaji Egbema, ” it is unfortunate we have legislative quarters, but can’t use it. I urge His Excellency to use all machinery to recover it. “
Hon. Clinton Amadi of Owerri Municipal recalled, “the Legislative quarters was dilapidated. I was in the 6th house when it was taken over. However, i am in support that it should be recovered and given back to us. “
Owerri North member Hon Kelechi Offurum said, ” In every state, there is a parliamentary Quarters housing members and staff. Imo state can not be different. We are speaking out today, so let us take our possession. “
Dominic Ezerioha, of Oru West ” The quarters was constitutionally built for the Assembly, the essence of government property is for public use. The quarters should be recovere. “.
Members took turn to condemned the misappropriation of the properties of an arm of government by the government of Senator Rochas Okorocha and called on the Governor to immediately recover the properties for the well being of Imo people.
Furthermore members suggested that the properties should not only be recovered but the proceeds in the in the last thirteen years be recovered and the parties prosecuted.The members who said that they had inaundated with the huge burden of accommodation for their staff said the recovery of the properties would afford them the opportunity to optimally function and pay attention to their legislative functions.
It would be recalled that the administration of the former Governor of Imo State Senator Rochas Okorocha has leased the legislative quarters to a private business developers in 2011 , following the delapidated state of the House of Assembly quarters.
Moreso,A Bill for a Law to Provide For Skill Acquisition and Craftsmanship as Mandatory Course in all Primary and Secondary Schools and Establishment of Skill Acquisition and Craftsmanship Centre in the State and Other Related Matters passed second reading and referred to the Commof Education to revert back to the House on the 16th of February, 2023.
