AWKA — Following a motion of urgent importance, moved by Hon. Nonso Okafor, the member representing Nnewi North in Anambra State House of Assembly, the House unanimously agreed that Engr. Mike Ozoemena, MD of Anambra State Waste Management Agency- ASWAMA, appears before the Assembly in the next adjourned date.
This invitation by Anambra State Assembly came as the member representing Nnewi North constituency, Hon. Nonso Okafor, in his motion, informed the House that ASWAMA had through its MD, imposed illegal rates for the collection of waste across the state. Supporting his motion, Hon. Okafor cited various sections of the ASWAMA law passed in the 6th Assembly, stipulating amounts to be paid by various households and businesses in the state, which it turned out the MD of ASWAMA had doubled arbitrarily in flagrant violation of the extant law.
For instance, the law had provided for payment of the sum of twelve thousand Naira per year, for residents living in a duplex. The illegal new rate proclaimed by the ASWAMA MD reviewed is upwards of twenty-four thousand Naira. In the originating motion, Hon. Okafor wondered where the MD of ASWAMA got the power to review the rates stipulated by the law.
The motion which gained the absolute support of the House, was seconded by Hon. Lawrence Ezeudu, representing Dunukofia Constituency.
In his contribution, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu said that the action of ASWAMA MD is an embarrassment to the governor. “This kind of thing is an embarrassment to the governor. The primary thing an appointee of government should do is to go and check the relevant law of his Agency”.
Hon. Pete Ibida representing Njikoka II, condemned the illegality of the MD stressing that it is a slap on the legislature.
Other contributors to the motion are Hon. Chidi Udemmadu, Hon. Emeka Aforka and Hon. Noble Igwe, who variously condemned the action of the MD and stressed that if possible, more serious punishment should be served on him for such illegality.
The House then resolved that the new ASWAMA rate be suspended and that the MD of the Agency, Engr. Mike Ozoemena appear before the it in the next sitting day, to provide explanations.
Meanwhile, the House admitted two petitions; one from fabric traders association in Onitsha, written against the Ministry of Trade and Commerce. They prayed to be allowed to move into their new market unconditionally. They also asked for the intervention of the House in the caretaker imposed on the market, by the Ministry.
The second petition is about alleged wrongful demotion of Obi Okonkwo from Director to Deputy Director in the Ministry of Housing. The petitioner prayed the House to puncture the decision of the State Civil Service Commission and restore him to his position. Both petitions were duly referred to the appropriate committee.
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
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