AS IMHA URGES GOVERNOR TO DIRECT MINISTRY OF LANDS TO TAKE STEPS TO ENCOURAGE IMOLITES TO DEVELOP THEIR LANDED PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS STATED ON THEIR ALLOCATION PAPERS TO AVOID REVOCATION*

Disturbed and very worried by the critical state of roads linking Ideato North Local Government Area with other parts of Imo State, which have made constituents and other inhabitants in the local government unable to move to other parts of the State, the Imo State House Of Assembly has proffered solution.

Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Ideato North State Constituency, Hon Okechukwu Udeze explained the deplorable condition of roads linking his local government with other parts of the state, pointing out that it has become impossible task for his constituents to move to other parts of the State. He stated that Ideato people are farmers, but bad roads have made it impossible for these farmers to take their farm produce to city markets. He further argued that economic activities in the area have almost shut down, due to very bad condition of roads.

Almost in tears, Hon Udeze revealed how motorists ply farms and bushes in order to avoid falling into deep gullies and ditches on the bad roads, which as a result have been causing damages and mechanical problems to vehicles, and invariably making life to be very difficult for his people, occasioned by high cost of transportation.

Specifically, Hon Udeze observed that Nkwerre -Omumaisiaku-Ogboko-Obohia road and Ugbele BSC road which used to be alternative routes linking Ideato North have not only been impassable, but have been cut off by deep gullies and ditches. According to him, *”Urualla-Obodoukwu-Isiokpo-Akpulu road is not a better choice either”.*

Nevertheless, Hon Udeze expressed happiness that His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma has flagged off the Reconstruction of Orlu-Mgbe-Akokwa-Uga road, but pleaded that while work is still ongoing, alternative State routes connecting Nkwerre -Omumaisiaku-Ogboko-Obohia-Ugbele-BSC Orlu road and that of Urualla-Obodoukwu-Isiokpo-Akpulu linking routes be urgently rehabilitated.

The Motion which was seconded by Hon Vitalis Ndubuisi Azodo, Member Representing Ideato South State Constituency, was co-sponsored by Hon Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre), Hon Ikenna Ihezuo (Orlu), Hon Ugochukwu Obodo (Owerri Municipal), Hon Sam Otuibe (Ahiazu Mbaise), Hon Vitalis Ndubuisi Azodo (Ideato South).

Supporting the Motion, Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu, Member Representing Nkwerre State Constituency, explained that before the coming of the present administration led by Governor Hope Uzodimma, the aforementioned roads were dilapidated, and Government after Government came, but never cared. He however expressed happiness that the State Governor has moved to rehabilitate one of the major roads, which when completed, will improve commercial activities of the area, secure more lives and property of the people and indeed further positively affect the people, in other areas. He therefore called for urgent intervention in creating alternative routes.

For Hon Barrister Ikenna Ihezue, Member Representing Orlu State Constituency, he supported the Motion because bad roads have affected the economy, culture and business of the local government. In his words, “An alternative access road should be done, so that Ideato North citizens can have improved lifestyle. Let us also seek ways to solve the gully erosion challenge in the area. Gully erosion has devastated the area .

For Hon Vitalis Ndubuisi Azodo, Member Representing Ideato South State Constituency, ” *Ideato North and Ideato South are one. it is no longer news that my people are suffering because of these bad roads. Houses and farmlands have been washed away. If this road is completed urgently, my people who are farmers can access the State capital with their farm produce”.*

When the Speaker, *Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe* , put the Motion to vote, it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, Mr Speaker Ruled as follows,

” *Be It Resolved By This Honourable House to urge His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor Of Imo State, to direct the Commissioner for Environment to do an Environmental impact assessment of the alternative routes linking Ideato North State Constituency with the rest of the State.*.”

” *Be It Also Resolved By This Honourable House to urge the Governor to direct the Commissioner for Works to as a Matter of urgency, to rehabilitate and construct the alternative linking State routes that will connect the Nkwerre-Omumaisiaku-Ogboko-Obohia-Ugbele-BSC Orlu route and that of Urualla-Obodoukwu-Isiokpo-Akpulu linking routes*. ”

” *Be It Further Resolved By This Honourable House to draw the attention of IRROMA to the deplorable State of the Alternative routes linking Ideato North LGA with the rest of the State, and to expedite action in the rehabilitation of the deplorable rural roads in Ideato State Constituency.*”

Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe thereafter directed the Clerk to communicate the resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.

Also, worried that land owners in Owerri are yet to develop lands which they acquired from Government, thereby depriving other potential developers the chances of acquiring landed property, And disturbed that Owerri Capital city has been largely underdeveloped due to the inability of the owners of the undeveloped plots of land to develop the said lands, the Imo State House Of Assembly has urged the Governor to direct the Ministry of Lands to take steps to encourage Imolites to develop their landed property in accordance with the conditions stated on their allocation papers to avoid revocation.

Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency, Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie, observed that the aim and intention for which Government gave out lands have been defeated, hence many plots of land have remained undeveloped. He cited areas like the Industrial Layout along Onitsha Road, World Bank Housing Estate, many other areas as having undeveloped lands, despite having been allocated years ago by government.

Hon Engr Innocent Ikpamezie further explained that in every allocation paper, each allottee is given a maximum period of two years to develop the allotted land or risk revocation of the allocation. According to the lawmaker, *”When you develop any land, Imo will be further developed . The State Government has asked our brothers and sisters living outside the State to come home, buy and develop lands. But when they return home, there are no land in the State capital to buy or develop, because owners of undeveloped lands are unwilling to develop them. There are potential developers who are ready to get or buy any available land for immediate development”*.

The Motion which was seconded by Hon Chief Kanayo Onyemaechi, Majority Leader and Member Representing Owerri West State Constituency, was co-sponsored by Hon Ugochukwu Obodo, Member Representing Owerri Municipal State Constituency and Hon Benneth Ebonine, Member Representing Njaba State Constituency.

Supporting the Motion, Hon Barrister Ikenna Ihezue, Member Representing Orlu State Constituency averred that ” *people are looking for lands to develop, we need to encourage them”.*

For Hon Johnleoba Iheoha, Member Representing Ikeduru State Constituency, *”let us give the people time to develop their land. We have a lot of issues at hand, presently”.*

For Hon Augustine Ugochukwu Obodo, Member Representing Owerri Municipal State Constituency, *”Over 10,000 plots of land have been allotted for development in the State capital since 1976, yet many of these plots of land have not been developed. Today, many of these lands harbour criminal elements. If such lands are not in use, the Governor is empowered by law to revoke such lands, and reallocating to potential developers. If these lands are developed, it will enhance economic growth, reduce criminal activities and reduce unemployment rate in the State”.*

For Hon Obinna Egu PhD, Member Representing Ngor-Okpala State Constituency, ” *In this period of insecurity, any undeveloped land becomes a threat and likely ground to harbour criminal elements. There are people who are ready to develop these lands.* ”

For Hon Francis Osuoha, Member Representing Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency, he said he is supporting the Motion with reservation. He argued, ” *Let us look into factors why empty lands are not developed. Lack of electricity and lack of good roads etc may be some of the impediments that may delay the development of these lands. The Governor should call the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning to find out why these lands are yet to be developed. Thereafter, more time should be given for them to be developed “.*

For Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, Majority Leader and Member Representing Owerri West State Constituency, *”It is a good thing to develop land. I support the Motion, however, we don’t have the statistics to know how many plots of land that are still undeveloped. So let us set up an Adhoc Committee that will interface with the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning to know this statistics. From there, we can take the next step “.*

For Hon Chisom Ojukwu, Member Representing Nkwerre State Constituency, *”In the absence of the Standing Committee, an Adhoc Committee should be set up. “.*

The Prolific legislator and Deputy Speaker, Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu took time to explain how “unacceptable” the Motion may sound if certain factors, including the mood of the society are not considered but said he was not against the Motion. According to the Deputy Speaker, who is also the member representing Nwangele State Constituency, *”The mood of the society should be considered. I am not against the Motion, but we should also be careful. Let us also seriously consider the points made by the Majority Leader, Member for Nkwerre State Constituency and Member for Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency”.*

For Hon Okey Udeze, Member Representing Ideato North State Constituency, *”Let us concentrate on lands allocated for industrial purpose. If lands allocated for industrial purpose are not used for such purpose, then something should be done”.*

After a robust debate on the Motion, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe put the question and….

*It* *was* *resolved* by the House to urge the Governor of Imo State to authorize the Ministry of Lands to revoke land allocations in Owerri Capital City where allottees of such lands have failed to develop their lands within the time frame stated in their allocation papers provided that adequate notice is given to them to in accordance with extant laws of the State

*It* *was* *further* *resolved* by the House to encourage Imolites to identify and report to the State Government through Ministry of Lands, all undeveloped landed property for possible revocation and development and that an adhoc Committee of the House be constituted to oversight this exercise to ensure accountability and fairness.
According to Mr Speaker, the 7-Man Adhoc Committee would be headed by the mover of the Motion, Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie. Other members include..

* Rt Honourable Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu

* Rt Honourable Barrister Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh

* Hon Chief Kanayo Onyemaechi

* Hon Kelechi Ofurum

* Hon Augustine Ugochukwu Obodo

* Hon Chisom Ojukwu

The House Adjourned to the 1st of August 2023

*Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha*
26/07/2023