Tag: Anambra Assembly

By Chizoba Okeke  :

Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on  Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Commissioner for Education to engage public, private, and mission schools in the state to address the exorbitant costs of textbooks, school uniforms purchase from exclusively designated vendors and mandatory extramural classes.

The resolution was made following a motion moved by the Majority Leader and member representing Ekwusigo Constituency, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme during the plenary session.

The Speaker, Rt Hon. Somotochukwu Udeze who presided over plenary read out the resolution and the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through voice votes.

Hon. Ofodeme submitted that the current practices in Anambra State Primary and Secondary Schools of using textbooks as workbooks, uniform purchase from exclusively designated vendor and mandatory extramural classes place undue financial burdens on parents and guardians, particularly for families with multiple children in the same school or classes. 

He argued that the trends are counterproductive and that the new introduction of textbooks and workbooks in one single volume especially is gradually killing the good culture of use of school libraries and families creating library in their homes.

He further said that the practice prevents families from utilizing textbooks across siblings, compelling them to purchase new copies for each child, regardless of their financial ability, thereby deepening educational inequality.

“These practices negates the state’s efforts to alleviate financial pressures on parents in line with our commitment to affordable and accessible education for all. The education policies in Anambra State should foster inclusivity, affordability, and sustainability in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said 

The Member representing Ogbaru Constituency I, Hon. Noble Igwe, his Anambra East counterpart, Barr. Obi Nweke, the member representing Nnewi North Constituency, Hon. Augustine Ike among other lawmakers, described the motion as life changing and shared same experiences of exorbitant costs of textbooks and school uniforms from same vendor provided by the school.

*Chizoba is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

By Chizoba Okeke  :

Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a resolution commending Governor Chukwuma Soludo for extending free educational policy to Senior  Secondary School students in the state public schools.

The resolution was passed following a motion moved by the member representing Aguata Constituency One, Mr Anayo Okpaleke and Chairman House committee on Education.

The Speaker, Mr Somtoo Udeze who presided over plenary read out the resolution and the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through voice vote.

In his submissions,  Okpaleke noted that Governor Soludo had earlier granted free education from Nursery, Primary and Junior Secondary Schools (JSS 3) to pupils and students of all State Public Schools and also  extended the same to Senior Secondary School Students in Public Schools. 

He reiterated that access to quality education equips beneficiaries with the necessary tools to excel and take their destinies into their hand, thereby ensuring effective use of their talents for all round development and progress.

He further explained the governor’s free education policy has now opened windows of opportunities as evidenced by the upsurge in school enrolment of pupils and students in the state public schools, breaking the cycle of social and economic barriers as well as poverty. 

In support of the motion,  the member representing Aguata Constituency Two, Chief Tony Muobike, his Ogbaru Constituency One counterpart, Noble Igwe and the Deputy Majority Leader, Dr. Jude Akpua, expressed their approval of the governor’s initiative, saying it has brought positive revolution to the state

Similarly, the House passed the report of the House  Committee On Finance and Appropriation on the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF),  Economic and Fiscal Update (EFU), Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) and Budget Policy Statement (BPS) document.

The documents outline the state’s fiscal plans, economic outlook, and budgetary goals for the next three years and sets a strategic foundation for sustainable growth and responsible budgeting.

* Okeke is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

By Chizoba Okeke, Anastasia Agunwa and Gloria Abugu :

Anambra State House of Assembly has expressed dissatisfaction with Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) for its failure to employ even a single indigene of Anambra State in its multi-million-dollar oil exploration activities running in the state.

The concern was raised during an interrogation by the House Committee on Petroleum and Mineral Resources, led by the Chairman, Mr Chidiebele Ibemeka, who criticized the company’s disregard for local workforce.

Ibemeka emphasized that despite SEEPCO’s operations in Anambra since 2006, and active exploration in the Ogwuaniocha and Ogwuikpele communities in Ogbaru Council Area beginning in 2018, the company has not provided any meaningful employment opportunities to Anambra indigenes.

According to the lawmaker, when asked to present documentation detailing the local hiring efforts, SEEPCO failed to include any names from the state.

Apart from the employment issue, Ibemeka highlighted environmental concerns, including frequent oil spills and gas flaring caused by the company’s operations, stating that their operations have had detrimental effects on the livelihood and health of the communities. 

The lawmaker lamented the company’s disregard for the people, stating that it is unacceptable for a business operating within the state’s borders to neglect the welfare and employment needs of Anambra’s citizens.

He noted that as representatives of the people, it is the duty of the lawmakers to safeguard the interests of Ndi Anambra and will not rest until all entitlements due to ndi Anambra are properly allocated and delivered.

Mr Ibemeka pledged that the house will continue to intensify efforts to hold SEEPCO accountable and to ensure that the company fulfills its corporate social responsibility with regards to Petroleum Industry Act, to the host communities, particularly in employment and environmental protections.

Recall that the Assembly directed SEEPCO to provide evidence that they have established a Host Communities’ Development Trust in compliance with Section 235(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA (2021); show proof that three percent of their annual budget has been paid for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024 and also submit documents detailing the projects executed as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

Further documentations requested included a NEEDs assessment of the host communities in line with Section 251 of the PIA, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment, and a plan for natural gas flare elimination and monetization, in accordance with Section 108 of the PIA.

The Assembly also demanded that the company present its decommissioning and abandonment plans, evidence of output metering for daily oil and gas production, a list of Ndi Anambra employed by the company, and proof of tax payments to the state since the company’s inception.

However, the company represented by General Manager of Community Relations and Security at SEEPCO, Mr. Austin Atuonah, presented other documents, excluding a list of Ndi Anambra employed by the company, partial proof of tax payments to the state and a plan for natural gas flare elimination and monetization.

* Okeke, Agunwa and Abugu are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

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By Chizoba Okeke, Anastasia Agunwa and Gloria Abugu  :

Anambra State House of Assembly has confirmed Dr. Law Mefor as the Commissioner-designate for Information following his nomination by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to replace Sir Paul Nwosu.

Dr. Mefor’s confirmation came after a thorough screening during a plenary session, where he was found suitably qualified to serve in the Anambra State Government.

Following the screening, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Chukwuma Okoye who presided over the plenary announced Dr. Mefor’s confirmation where lawmakers unanimously supported the appointment through a voice vote.

In his remarks, he urged Dr. Mefor to remain dedicated to serving the people of Anambra and to align with the governor’s agenda to achieve great progress for the state.

In response, Dr. Mefor expressed his commitment to advancing information management in Anambra through political and strategic communication, pledging to enhance the Ministry of Information and diligently work towards realizing the governor’s vision for the state.

* Okeke, Agunwa and Abugu are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

By Chizoba Okeke, Anastasia Agunwa, Gloria Abugu :

The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed the Environmental Management, Protection, and Administration Bill, 2024.

This follows Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s assent to 11 bills passed by the Assembly earlier today.

The bill, passed during today’s plenary session, seeks to provide a legal framework for the management, protection, and sustainability of the environment in Anambra State.

The bill successfully passed its third reading after deliberations and consideration at the Committee of the Whole. The Majority Leader, Sir Ikenna Ofodeme, moved a motion for the third reading and passage, which was seconded by the member representing Nnewi North Constituency, Honourable Augustine Ike.

The Speaker, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze, read the bill for the third time and announced its passage after it garnered wide support from the lawmakers.

He appreciated the legislators for their efforts throughout the stages of the bill, stating that it truly reflects their commitment towards making Anambra a better place.