Imo House of Assembly passes bill to supplement 2023 budget with additional N118.550bn capital expenditure

By Saby Elemba

The Imo State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law to supplement the 2023 budget with additional capital expenditure of N118.550 billion to address the lingering  and current emerging deteriorating security challenges in Imo State.

Kanayo Onyemaechi, the  house majority leader and member representing Owerri West State Constituency,  who read second reading, explained that the aim was  to properly secure the Imo State from various levels of insecurities, and to end further  destruction of lives and properties.

He further argued that the bill when it becomes law, would enable the  Imo State government to further tackle insecurity  in the state headlong,  this is a he  prayed that  his distinguished colleagues should  lend their support.

As a result,  Ngozi Obiefule, member representing Isu State Constituency, in support,  decried the many killings and destruction of properties in the state. “We are aware of the catastrophe and threats to life and properties in the state. We need peace in the state. I want peace to return to Imo. I am in support of anything that will bring back peace”, she said .

Also Paul Emeziem, member representing Onuimo State Constituency,  in support, declared, “there is need to keep Imo people alive, let us do anything in our power to assist the state government to achieve this noble objective”.

In her contribution,  Uju Onwudiwe, the member representing Njaba State Constituency, stated that “the first priority of government is the protection of lives and property. We should therefore do all we need to do to protect the people of Imo State. Whatever it will take to provide this security, I will support it”.

And for Chigozie Nwaneri, chief whip and member representing Oru East State Constituency,  said, “no amount of money will be enough to quantify the life of every Imo citizen, let us protect and safeguard the life and properties of  Imo citizens by supporting this bill”.

Also, Eddy Obinna, member representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency and deputy chief whip, said,  “we need security of everyone in the state. The governor has been working to ensure that sanity is restored. It is not our culture and tradition to take away one another’s life. I  call on our brothers in the opposition to assist in restoring peace in the state. I therefore support that this bill is given accelerated attention”.

And for Anyadike Nwosu, member representing Ezinihitte Mbaise State Constituency and minority leader , ” I support everything that must be done to secure the state, economically, socially, politically and otherwise”.

Frank Ugboma, representing Oguta State Constituency, stated  “this is an appropriation fund for security,  no amount of money quantifies the life of every Imo citizen, the governor should be encouraged to do more  to secure all of us”.

In his contribution, Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu ,othe deputy speaker and member representing Nwangele State ,”our brothers from the minority caucus have spoken well in support of the bill, to partner with His Excellency to secure life and property in the state.  I therefore support the Bill in its totality”.

The bill, having passed through the committee of the whole house and on third reading ,  the Clerk of the house was directed to produce clean copies for the governor’s assent.