Anambra State 8th Assembly Holds First Plenary, Seeks Improved Security
Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka.
The Anambra State 8th House of Assembly has held its first plenary, passing a resolution urging Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Commissioners of Police and Homeland Affairs to increase surveillance in Onitsha metropolis with special reference to the Onitsha-Owerri Road and Upper Iweka axis in the State.
The resolution was passed on Tuesday following a motion sponsored to that effect by the member representing Ogbaru 1 Constituency, Hon. Noble Igwe during plenary.
Hon. Igwe lamented the rate at which criminals operate and oppress people living on the streets and plying the Onitsha-Owerri Road.
Igwe revealed that citizens of Anambra State are being dispossessed of their belongings on a daily basis with some having minor or major body-inflicted injuries.
The lawmaker expressed worry, stating that if the rate at which the criminals operate is not checkmated, there could be a state of lawlessness wherby people might resort to self help.
“I am convinced that these criminals could be tracked and brought to book, if enough incentives are provided for security operatives.
“Almost on daily basis, people are being robbed. In areas such as Boromeo Round-about in Onitsha, once it is 6 p.m, nobody goes through that area unattacked.
“Onitsha-Owerri Road is very close to army-check-point, yet, on daily basis, criminals attack and rob people.
“If you go round Onitsha by 6 p.m, all police check points are empty. This is a cause for us to worry. Why must it be so?
“We understand that the governor is working so hard to checkmate all these criminals within the rural areas, but we need to also look at urban areas where all sorts of criminal activities happen,” said Hon. Igwe.
The member representing Nnewi South 2 Constituency, Hon. Johnbosco Akaegbobi; member representing Onitsha South 2 Constituency, Hon. Jude Umennajiego; member representing Onitsha North 2, Hon. Pat Okafor; member representing Awka North, Hon. Chimezie Johnmark; and member representing Anaocha 2 Constituency, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu, all supported the motion.
Other lawmakers who supported the motion were member representing Awka South 1, Hon. Henry Mbachu; member representing Onitsha South 1, Hon. Fred Ezenwa; member representing Ayamelum constituency, Hon. Bernard Udemezue; member representing Anambra West constituency, Hon. Patrick Uduoba; member representing Ihiala 1, Hon. Jude Ogubili; and the Majority Leader Hon. Ofodeme Ikenna, in their separate submissions, called for an increase in security surveillance in the entire State.
The legislator expressed worry that Anambra citizens are being dispossessed of their belongings on a daily basis with some having minor or major body-inflicted injuries or even loss of lives.
Contributing, the Majority Leader Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme informed the House that the situation has adversely affected economic activities in Onitsha, as many traders have relocated to other States due to insecurity.
On his part, the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu, lauded the efforts of Governor Soludo and security agencies in protection of lives and property in the State and stressed the need for the State government to install CCTV cameras in flash points to salvage the situation.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, urged security agencies to intensify efforts in their fight against crime in Onitsha and environs as the State government is committed to providing enough incentives for them.
He assured that the 8th Assembly, under his leadership, will live up to expectations.
Earlier, the plenary commenced with a Holy Mass presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, the Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, who enjoined the House to work for the common good of Anambra citizens to help the State develop devoid of criminals.
The plenary was adjourned until July 18, 2023.
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