Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Commissioners of Police and Homeland Affairs, to increased surveillance in Onitsha metropolis with special reference to Onitsha Owerri Road and Upper Iweka areas in the state.
The House passed the resolution following a motion sponsored to that effect by the member representing Ogbaru One Constituency, Honourable Noble Igwe during plenary.
Sponsoring the motion, Honourable Igwe, lamented that the rampant rate at which criminals’ parade and oppress people living in the streets and plying the roads within Onitsha metropolis at will without restrain, requires security agencies to take urgent steps to arrest the ugly situation.
The legislator expressed worry that Anambra citizens are been dispossessed of their belongings on daily basis with some having minor or major body inflicted injuries or even loss of lives.
Contributing, the Majority Leader, Honourable Ikenna Ofodeme, informed the House that the situation has adversely affected economic activities in Onitsha as many traders had relocated to other states due to insecurity.
On his part, the Chief whip of the House, Honourable Ejike Okechukwu, appreciated 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, Right Honourable 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 incentive for them.
Meanwhile, Udeze, at plenary, read the letter from the coalitions of the minority parties of Anambra 8th assembly, on the list of nominated principals officers.
The Speaker while taking cognizance of order 8, rule 29:1 and also rule 29:2g of the standing orders, which stated that;
“In appointment of principals officers of the house, preference shall be given to members with legislative experience. Members from minority parties shall nominate from amongst them, the minority leader, deputy whip, deputy minority leader and deputy minority whip”.
The speaker assured that the Eight 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 to July 18,2023.
Olusola Akintonde
