Abia Assembly wants Army standby unit in Ohafia community to avert further communal crisis

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]

Abia House of Assembly has called on the Commander of 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, to station a standby unit of troops in Okon Aku, Ohafia in Ohafia local government area of the state to prevent escalation of the current intra-communal crisis rocking the community.

The House also directed the House Committee on Boundary Matters to urgently investigate the crisis in the locality and submit its report to the House in two weeks.

The House gave the directives after hearing a motion of urgent public importance presented by the Deputy Speaker and member representing Ohafia South State Constituency during plenary Tuesday, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Francis Uchendu, wherein he reported that Okon Aku was in the throes of communal crisis that has inflicted heavy casualties on the community.

Tabling the motion before his colleagues, Uchendu reported that intra-communal crisis in Okono Aku has truncated the existing peace in the area, adding that there have been heavy casualties since the crisis started and has left in its trail, loss of lives and destruction of properties.

The Deputy Speaker therefore prayed the House to recommend that the House investigates the crisis with a view to bringing lasting peace in the area and that the Army Commander in 14 Brigade, Ohafia, put a standby unit in the area to avert further crisis in the community.

After contributions from members, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, said the House has adopted the recommendations made by the Deputy Speaker.

The Speaker also announced that the House Committee on Boundary Matters should, as a matter of urgency, investigate the communal crisis in the locality and submit its report to the House in two weeks.

In a related development, a new cabinet would soon be in place in Abia State following the House of Assembly’s conclusion of the screening of 27 commissioner-nominees recently appointed by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chnedum Orji, announced during plenary Tuesday that 26 Commissioner-nominees have been screened and confirmed.

According to the Speaker, the Honourable Members painstakingly screened the Commissioner-nominees; members of the Local Government Service Commission and Civil Service Commission sent to the House by the Governor.

Those that were screened, as read out by the Speaker were, for Commissioner-nominees: Donatus Okorie, Mr Godwin Ndom, Chief Okezie Erondu, Mr Karibe Ojikwe, Chief Mrs Uwaoma Olewengwa, Prince Christopher O. Enweremadu, Barr Charles Eseonu, Chief Chinagorom Nwankpa, Hon Monday Ejegbu, Mr Sopuruchi Bekee, Deaconess Rose Urenta Nna, Chief Kingsley Imaga and Mr Chidiebere Uwagwu Kalu.

The rest are Barr I.C. Mark, Chief Chisom Felix Nwachukwu, Mr Eze Nwanganga, Barr Sam Nwogu, Dr Chidi Onwuchuruba, Mr Ugochukwu Emezue, Mrs Adaku Uwaoma Oseiza, Barr Eze Chikamnayo, Chief Godswill Nwanoruo, Prince Obinna Okey, Chief Ukwu Rocks Emma

Barr C.C. Emelogu and Hon. Tony Nwanmuo.

The Speaker also named those screened as members of the Local Government Service Commission, to include Mr Victor Azumara (Chairman), Mr Ben Nwogu, Hon. Ako Atuloma, Engr. Rita Okengwu, Barr. Mrs. Priscilla Umeham, Sir Eugene Dike, and Mr Chukwuemeka Mba  who would serve as members.

According to Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, those screened for membership of the Civil Service Commission were Mr Emmanuel Okwuobasi Kanu, Hon. Prince Onuoha, Barr Eze Ndukauba and Mrs Joyce Adiele.

The Speaker also announced that the absent commissioner-nominee should make himself available to the Screening Committee on Friday, 15th October, 2021.

He, therefore, requested the Clerk of the House to forward the names of the successfully screened commissioner-nominees and the members of the Local Government Service Commission and Civil Service Commission to the Executive Arm.

Governor Ikpeazu named the appointees on Sunday, September 12, 2021.