IMHA Makes Case For Amala And Alatia Communities In Ngor Okpala LGA, That Have Never Enjoyed Electricity, To Be Connected To The National Grid

For the people of Amala and Alatia communities in Ngor/Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, the time for them to shout “Up NEPA” for the very first time, since the invention of Electricity, is at hand, as the Imo State House Of Assembly has made a case for the two communities to be connected to the National Electricity Grid.

Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Ngor/Okpala State Constituency, Hon Prince Obinna Egu PhD, revealed that the two communities have never witnessed or enjoyed Electricity supply since the existence of mankind, unless through the use of power generating set by very few individuals in the community.

Hon Obinna Egu, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Science And Technology, stated that the people of Amala and Alatia communities have for long lost confidence and trust as successive administrations, both Federal and State failed to remedy their challenges, thus making them have the feeling that they have been abandoned and forgotten.

Hon Egu lamented that as the food basket of the State, the people of Amala and Alatia communities go out in the morning, to their farms and come back in the evening, only to sleep in darkness, without electricity. “You won’t even see mounted Electric Pole anywhere in these two communities, and neither will you see any mounted transformer. Anybody that visits Amala and Alatia communities would be shocked that they are part of Imo State. Anybody that visits these two communities would be terrified because apart from lack of Electricity, they lack every other known amenity to life. Yes, this is true”. The Ranking Lawmaker painfully submitted.

The humble Prince from Ngor/Okpala, who is also the House Committee Vice Chairman on Power and Water Resources, further said that because lack of Electricity contribute to the persistence of poverty to any society, immediate assistance should be rendered to Amala and Alatia communities, because according to him, “the ugly situation has made life very difficult for people living in these populated communities, as businesses and other socioeconomic activities have remained in shambles within these communities, which have made them to have long lost confidence, as successive administrations failed to remedy their challenges”.

However, sounding very optimistic, the only voice from Ngor/Okpala expressed confidence that the Shared Prosperity 3R Administration of His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, known for touching lives, through quality leadership and numerous people oriented programmes and projects in the State, would step in to remedy the already bad situation in Amala and Alatia. In his words, Hon Prince Obinna Egu said, “Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma’s name will remain indelible in the minds of the inhabitants of these two communities and the entire Ngor/Okpala if Amala and Alatia communities are connected to Electricity Grid”.

The vibrant and ebullient lawmaker thereafter appealed to his Honourable Colleagues to queue behind him and support the Motion so that, for once, the people of Amala and Alatia can join the rest of Nigerians to shout “Up NEPA”.

The Majority Leader, Rt Honourable Kanayo Onyemaechi, seconded the Motion, while it was co-sponsored by 8 lawmakers, including :

1. Rt Hon Chyna Amara Iwuanyanwu.
2. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.
3. Hon Uche Francis Agabige
4. Hon Dominic Ugochukwu Ezeroha.
5. Hon Henry Agbasonu
6. Hon Bernard Ozoemelam.
7. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie.
8. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.

Feeling emotional, and in solidarity with the Chief Sponsor of the pathetic Motion, almost all the Honourable Members, present at plenary, made contributions. They included :

1. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri (Oru-East).
2. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri-West).
3. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie (Aboh-Mbaise).
4. Hon Johnleoba Iheoha (Ikeduru).
5. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala-Mbano).
6. Hon Henry Agbasonu (Ezinnihite-Mbaise).
7. Hon James Uba Esile (Onuimo).
8. Hon Ikenna Ihezuo (Orlu).
9. Hon Kelechi Ofurum (Owerri-North).
10. Hon Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre).
11. Hon Samuel Chidiebere Ogbunikpa (Okigwe).

In their submissions, the supporting lawmakers commended the Chief Sponsor of the Motion, for moving it at the time a caring leader with human and compassionate feeling is the Governor. They expressed confidence that His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma, having severally demonstrated his fatherly disposition on Imo State affairs, would surely do the needful by ensuring that Amala and Alatia communities are connected to the Electricity Grid. They agreed that without Electricity, development, progress, growth and and even life itself, would be moving at a snail speed. They therefore condoled with the people of Amala and Alatia communities for being without electricity, assuring that as the matter has been brought before the House, their lost confidence would be restored back by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Satisfied with substantial contributions to the Motion by lawmakers, the Speaker of Imo State House Of Assembly, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, Mr Speaker Ruled as follows :

“Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, The Governor Of Imo State To Direct The Ministry Of Power And Public Utility To Work In Partnership With The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, To Connect Amala And Alatia Communities In Ngor/Okpala LGA To The Electricity Grid, To Ameliorate Hardship And Sufferings Of People Of These Communities”.

Thereafter the Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodinma.

Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha writes reports from IMHA owerri.

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