17/06/2026
IMO 10TH ASSEMBLY LAWMAKERS MARK 3RD ANNIVERSARY,
PASS RESOLUTIONS ON EBOLA PREVENTION AND RISING INSECURITY IN IZOMBE
By: James Emeahu
The Imo State House of Assembly has marked the 3rd anniversary of the 10th Assembly on Tuesday , 16th June 2023, with a special plenary session that combined celebration of legislative milestones with urgent resolutions on public health and growing security concerns .
At the commencement of business of the day, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, presented a goodwill message to commemorate the anniversary. He reported that in the last three years, the House had held over 555 plenary and committee sessions, considered 52 bills with more than 40 passed into law, and treated over 210 motions and petitions. He described the record as evidence of legislative diligence and stability.
The Speaker highlighted landmark laws passed by the Assembly, singling out the Imo State Electricity Commission Law, the Imo Teachers Service Tenure Extension Law, and the Imo Persons with Disabilities Law as bills with direct impact on the lives of Imolites. He said these laws reflected the House’s commitment to development, social inclusion, and institutional reform.
In his anniversary remarks, the Speaker thanked his colleagues for maintaining unity and cohesion in the House. He also expressed appreciation to the Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, for the cordial working relationship between the executive and legislature in the state. He acknowledged the Clerk and Head of Legislative Service, Chinelo Adaora Emeghara, Esq., the Assembly staff, the media, and civil society organizations for their dedication to duty and for holding the House accountable.
Further, in a major health-related resolution, the House urged the Ministry of Health to activate and enforce all necessary protocols to prevent the importation and spread of Ebola Virus Disease in Imo State. The motion was moved by Hon. Henry Agbasonu of Ezinihitte Mbaise and received overwhelming support from lawmakers including the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, Hon. Princewill Amuchie, and Hon. Udeze Okechukwu.
Lawmakers who contributed to the Ebola debate stressed the need for surveillance at borders, airports, motor parks, and markets, as well as the provision of rapid response kits, personal protective equipment, and trained personnel in health facilities. The Assembly resolved that the Commissioner for Health should constitute rapid response teams in the 27 local government areas and that the Ministry of Information should collaborate on mass public enlightenment campaigns across radio, TV, and community platforms.
Furthermore, the House passed a motion of public importance calling on Governor Uzodimma to direct the Commissioner of Police to redeploy personnel and operational logistics to the abandoned Izombe Police Station. The motion, chiefly sponsored by Hon. Gilbert Chidozie Nwosu of Oguta with 11 co-sponsors and seconded by the Chief Whip, Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri of Oru East, condemned incessant kidnappings and armed attacks along the Izombe-Ejemekwuru-Ogbaku and Umuofo Awa roads.
Lawmakers who made contributions to the debate, including Hon. Bernard Ozoemenam, Hon. James Esile, Hon. Francis Osuoha, Hon. Uche Agabige, and Hon. Clinton Amadi, shared harrowing accounts of victims and urged the government to act swiftly. The House further urged all security agencies to establish strategic checkpoints, deploy modern surveillance tools such as drones, and apprehend perpetrators to restore safety and public confidence along the affected routes.