Imo Speaker Assures On Effective Leadership

The Imo House of Assembly, which is made up of 27  members including the Speaker, Rt. Honourable Benjamin Uwajumogu, has celebrated her one year in office. The ceremony which took place at the House of Assembly complex attracted dignitaries from all walks of life.

In his special address, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu x-rayed the emergence of the present leadership on the 7th of June, 2011 and their  zeal towards the actualisation of their legislative responsibilities within a short period of time. The speaker expressed the willingness of the House to provide an effective and selfless democratic leadership to the people of the state. He eulogised the perfect working relationship existing between the executive and the legislative arms of the government for the general good of the people. The speaker equally appreciated the just partnership which had always existed between the two arms making it necessary for a bit relaxation of absolute separation of power. He re-emphasised the quality time and energy being put in by the Honourable members of the House in producing people-oriented laws and motions that had attracted the confidence and trust of Imo people.

Rt.  Honourable Benjamin Uwajumogu admitted the sacrificing of their statutory rights and privileges in order to have a successful government under the leadership of Owelle Rochas Okorocha. He admitted the full participation of all the Honourable members in the execution of their oversight functions which had taken them to so many project monitoring exercises within one year.

In his own remarks, the governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha thanked all the House members for their unquantifiable contributions towards the provision of certain developmental projects to the people of the state. He praised the wonderful passage of community Government Council Bill by the Imo House and counselled the Imolites to embrace it because of so many advantages attached. Owelle equally used the opportunity to inform the public of the economic benefits derivable from the commercialisation policy of his administration.

Another important personality who lent his voice was senator Osita Izunaso who applauded the legislative  activities of the House within a year and called for its sustenance. He  described governance as a “TRINITY” .

He advised all the members not to be intimidated by the utterances of the people. Senator Osita called for the continued harmony between the executive and legislature so as to consolidate on the on-going project developments in the state.

The one year anniversary celebration of the House was importantly marked with a special lecture delivered by Honourable Austin Opara (Former Deputy Speaker, OFR) on the topic: Role of the Legislature In An Emerging Democracy (Overview of Nigerian Legislature  1999-2012).

The lecturer looked at the digestive perspective legislative powers, roles and functions since the inception of the present democracy in 1999.  Rt. Hon. Austin Opara through same lecture called on the Imo House of Assembly to borrow a leaf from the National Assembly with the powers constitutionally conferred on it on the need to hold the executive accountable to the people. He equally called on them (Honourable members) to initiate and pass Bills that would make its body autonomous in the area of financial management. The guest lecturer pointed out that for any parliament to function optimally, the assembly must be vibrant, independent and corrupt-free.