Imo Assembly Moves Against Outbreak Of Ebola, Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

Speaker of the Imo House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Chika Olemgbe has directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr Chioma Egu, to immediately set up rapid response teams in the 27 local government areas to check for the Ebola virus in the State.

This is even as the speaker said that the 10th Assembly held over 555 plenary and committee sessions, considered 52 bills, with more than 40 passed into law, and treated over 210 motions.

The speakers spoke during the commemoration of their third anniversary.

The House gave the directive on Tuesday following the motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ezinihitte Mbaise, Hon Henry Agbasonu, on measures to protect the State from the Ebola outbreak.

Other lawmakers who supported the motion include Rt. Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, Hon. Princewill Amuchie, and Hon. Udeze Okechukwu, who all advocated for preventive measures to prevent the entry of Ebola into the State.

The lawmakers 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.

They called on the Ministry of Information to collaborate and provide mass public enlightenment campaigns across radio, TV, and community platforms.

Further, Speaker Olemgbe said that the 10th Assembly held over 555 plenary and committee sessions, considered 52 bills, of which more than 40 were passed into law, and treated over 210 motions.

Olemgbe said that, upon the inauguration on 16 June 2023, three years ago, the lawmakers passed landmark laws, maintained unity and cohesion, and maintained a good relationship with the Governor Hope Uzodimma-led executive.

He said, “Since our inauguration on 16 June 2023, three years ago, this 10th Assembly has held over 555 plenary and committee sessions, considered 52 bills with more than 40 passed into law, and treated over 210 motions and petitions.

“Some of the landmark laws passed by this Assembly include 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. These laws reflect the House’s commitment to development, social inclusion, and institutional reform in Imo State.

The Speaker thanked his colleagues for the unity and cohesion in the House, and Governor Hope Uzodimma for the cordial working relationship between the executive and legislature in the State.

He thanked the Clerk and the head of Legislative Service, Barr. (Mrs) Chinelo Emeghara, the Assembly staff, the media, and civil society organisations for their dedication to duty and for holding the House accountable.

Further, the lawmakers passed a motion of public importance calling on Governor Uzodimma to direct the Commissioner of Police to immediately redeploy personnel and operational logistics to the abandoned Izombe Police Station.

The motion, chiefly sponsored by Hon. Gilbert 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.

Meanwhile, the lawmakers have called on 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.