The House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) to create a new Local Government Area (LGA) in Imo State to be known as Ideato West LGA.
The proposed legislation passed its second reading during plenary on Thursday.
The bill, sponsored by Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere, lawmaker representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) was presented by House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere.
According to the explanatory memorandum, the legislation seeks to amend Part I of the First Schedule of the Constitution by inserting “Ideato West” into the list of LGAs in Imo State.
If enacted, the new list of LGAs in the state would include, Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ideato South, Ideato West, Ihitte/Uboma, Ikeduru, Isiala Mbano, Isu, Mbaitoli, Ngor Okpala and Njaba.
Others are Nwangele, Nkwerre, Obowo, Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema, Okigwe, Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Owerri Municipal, Owerri North, Owerri West, and Unuimo.
The bill was supported by lawmakers. When Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, put the motion to a voice vote, it was unanimously passed.
The proposed creation of the LGA marks a significant push for administrative expansion and local governance restructuring in Imo State.
The bill will now proceed to the next legislative stage, where further scrutiny and potential constitutional amendments will determine its final passage into law.
