Leveraging on the desire of the Imo State Government to ensure that the 27 Local Government Areas in the State are provided with sustainable and reliable electricity supply, also aware that the State Government is desirous of harnessing the huge gas deposit that would bring about industrial revolution, since the State has the highest gas reserve in the country, the Imo State House Of Assembly has moved to provide the legal framework for the sustenance of the two projects, with the Executive Bills passing through second reading, on Thursday 05/09/2024.

The Majority Leader, Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi and Member Representing Owerri-west State Constituency led the lead debate for the First Executive Bill titled : A Bill For A Law To Establish The LIGHT UP IMO PROJECT In Imo State And For Other Related Matters, while the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu and Member Representing Nwangele State constituency led the lead debate for the second Executive Bill titled : A Bill For A Law To Establish The Orashi Special Energy Free Trade Zone And For Other Related Matters.

The Third Bill came under the name of the Chief Whip and Member Representing Oru-East State Constituency, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri and it sought to repeal the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission Law Number 13 Of 2010 (As Amended) And To Enact A Law To Provide For The Establishment Of A Commission For The Purpose Of Developing The Oil Producing Areas In Imo State And For Other Related Matters.

Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, while explaining the first Bill, said that Imo State Government and the 27 Local Government Areas in the state entered into a Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) with a private sector partner, for the purpose of providing affordable electricity across the State. According to Hon Onyemaechi, the main objective of the project is to facilitate the rehabilitation, expansion and maintenance of the State’s electricity infrastructure, ensuring stable power generation, transmission and distribution throughout the 27 local government areas of the state. He further said that it is a Bill that would be beneficial to the people of Imo State, such that factories, institutions, hospitals, cottage industries, etc, that needs to function effectively, needs electricity. Describing the Bill as people oriented Bill, Hon Onyemaechi said if passed and signed into law, will be the fulcrum of industrial revolution in the state. He thereafter called on his colleagues to support it.

The Bill was well celebrated on the floor of the House, as 13 Honourable Members spoke in its favour, as follows :

1. Rt Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.

2. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.

3. Hon Okey Ernest Udeze.

4. Hon Engr Innocent Ikpamezie.

5. Hon Johnson Duru.

6. Hon Gilbert Nwosu.

7. Hon Uche Francis Agabige.

8. Hon James Uba Esile.

9. Hon Princewill Amuchie.

10. Hon Uzoma Francis Osuoha.

11. Hon Ikenna Ihezuo.

12. Hon Ozioma Ebonine.

13. Hon Emeka Ozurumba.

In their submissions, the listed Honourable Members described the Bill as a people oriented Bill. According to them, it is one of the clear visions of the 3R Shared Prosperity Administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma, which is an indication that the State Government had long keyed into vision of the Federal Government, in the LIGHT UP NIGERIA PROJECT. The supporting lawmakers argued that for the project to succeed in the state, it is their responsibility as legislators to ensure the passage of the Bill. They further said that since businesses and other socio-economic activities would boom once the Bill is passed, signed into law and fully implemented, that crime rate will reduce, unemployment rate will reduce and jobs would be created, and rural-urban migration will reduce as economic activities in rural areas will blossom.

Satisfied with the contributions to the Bill, the Speaker, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, put the question for Honourable Members to vote if the Bill should be read a second time and Ayes had it. Thereafter, it was committed to the House Committee On Power and its Report expected to be submitted on Tuesday, 10th of September 2024, for further action.

The Deputy Speaker and Member Representing Nwangele State Constituency, Rt Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, while adumbrating on the Second Bill, said that with the State having the highest deposit of gas reserve in Nigeria and the State Government desirous to harness the huge gas deposit to bring about industrial revolution in the State, that the visionary 3R Shared Prosperity Administration executed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with a private partner, to develop the Orashi Special Energy Free Trade Zone for the Oil And Gas optimization and utilization program in the State.

According to the Prolific lawmaker, the main objective of the Free Trade Zone, which is located in Ngor-Okpala local government area of the State, is to have an industrial zone where industries will make use of gas and hydrocarbon as their source of Power, for the purpose of boosting the economy of the State, which will benefit indigenes and residents of the state. Rt Honourable Chyna Iwuanyanwu, while appealing to his Honourable colleagues to support the Bill, further said if passed, signed into law and implemented, will galvanize industrial revolution, signifying hope for our teaming youths, especially, millions of our graduates, amongst other multiple benefits. The vibrant lawmaker thereafter called on his colleagues to support it.

As a celebrated Bill, it attracted the support of lawmakers who made commendable submissions. Satisfied with the contributions to the Bill, the Speaker, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, put the question for Honourable Members to vote if the Bill should be read a second time and Ayes had it. The Bill was committed to the House Committee on ISOPADEC, Oil And Gas, Commerce And Industry, and its Report expected to be submitted on Tuesday, 10th of September 2024, for further action.

The third Bill, as stated earlier, which came under the name of the Chief Whip, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, sought to repeal the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission Law Number 13 Of 2010 (As Amended) And To Enact A Law To Provide For The Establishment Of A Commission For The Purpose Of Developing The Oil Producing Areas In Imo State And Other Related Matters. It was co-sponsored by 6 lawmakers, including :

1. Rt Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.

2. Hon Gilbert Nwosu.

3. Hon Uzoma Francis Osuoha.

4. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.

5. Hon Ebonine Worship Ozioma

6. Hon Emeka Ozurumba.

It has 8 Parts and 31 Sections, with the following structures :

* Preliminary.

* Establishment Of The. Commission.

* Functions Of And Powers Of The Commission.

* Establishment Of The Governing Board Of The Commission.

* Establishment Of The Management Committee Of The Commission.

* Secretariat And Other Staff.

* Funds Of The Commission.

* Legal Proceedings.

Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, while highlighting the Sections said that the Bill is self explanatory, and is an indication of the progressive roadmap of the State Government. He further explained that it is to the advantage of the Communities that produces the Mineral Resources, and the Youths of the Local Government Areas of Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru-east where these resources are found will have reason to celebrate, because solid infrastructure will be attracted, this time around.

Also, the Bill was well celebrated on the floor of the House, as the following Honourable Members spoke extensively in its favour.

1. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele).

2. Hon Okey Ernest Udeze (Ideato North).

3. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West).

4. Hon Uzoma Francis Osuoha (Ohaji/Egbema).

5. Hon Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu (Oguta).

6. Hon Uche Francis Agabige (Orsu).

7. Hon Jones Uba Esile (Onuimo).

Satisfied with contributions to the Bill, the Speaker of Imo State House Of Assembly, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, put the question for Honourable Members to vote if the Bill should be read a second time and Ayes had it. Thereafter, he referred it to the House Committee On ISOPADEC, Oil And Gas, and its Report expected to be submitted on Tuesday, 10th of September 2024, for further action.

Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha
05/09/2024.