Ibe Pascal Arogorn, Owerri
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has granted full financial autonomy to the Imo State House of Assembly, Crimefacts.news reports.
Speaking through a motion at the resumption of plenary on Thursday, presided over by Speaker Paul Emeziem, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu thanked the Governor for ensuring that the Imo State House of Assembly is financially autonomous.
The Deputy Speaker who moved the motion which was adopted by the House exclaimed, “today is a remarkable day in the history of the parliament. Today, we are looking into this matter as one of the first Houses of Assembly in the South-East Nigeria and one of the first five states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to have met every obligation to attain financial autonomy.”
Rt. Hon. Iwuanyanwu disclosed that the House of Assembly Service Commission has been recognized as a parastatal under the Imo State House of Assembly, while the budgeting sub-heads of each of the 27 House Members are already in use by the members.
While thanking the Legislative Staff of the Assembly, the Deputy Speaker assured that their interest will be advanced, especially the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) Imo State Chapter who has made the autonomy possible by standing strong.
Members of the Assembly who took turns to support the motion to congratulate the Governor Hope Uzodimma includes, Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, Hon. Obinna Okwara, Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri, , Hon. Duru Iheonukara and a host of others.
The House also resolved to urge the Governor to help by directing the Accountant General to ensure that funds of the Legislature including that of the Assembly Commission are paid promptly into the Assembly account to enable them undertake their capital projects.