The member representing Aba south state constituency in the Abia state House of Assembly, Honourable Obinna Ichita, has said that members of his constituents are living with over 15 tons of refuse which pose as threat to their health condition.
Ichita said this while presenting the deplorable state of the road leading to his constituent before the House as a ‘matter of urgent public importance’ during a plenary held on Monday .
“Anyone driving to my constituency from Aba main park, will notice a very huge mountain of refuse at Port Harcourt road by cemetery road by Asa road. If you drive further and get to the school we know as National High school Aba, we have over 15 tons of refuse left untouched.
“Mr Speaker, that is in addition to the horrible state of the roads in my constituency.”
The member appreciated the state government for her effort towards the construction of some roads in Aba south Local Government, he however pointed that “the road to my constituent by extension my village, is terrible if not horrible “
He pleaded that the speaker and the House members grant him the prayers;
‘ that the House mandate the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency(ASEPA), to move with immediate effect to see that the mountains of refuse be evacuated with immediate effect to protect the lives of Abians in that constituency.
‘ that the House mandate the Hon. commissioner for works and the contractor handling the Port Harcourt road to expedite action because the state of Port Harcourt road has become horrible that it has become practically impossible’.
Speaking the former speaker of the House, Hon. Chikwendu Kalu, blamed the heap of refuse on traders in Aba. He noted that he was informed that the evacuation of the refuse was stalled because of lack of fund and logistics.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji advised Hon Ichita to make his complaint as a motion and present it in the next sitting.
Those in support of the matter were; Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, member representing Isialangwa north, the minority leader, Hon Chijioke Chukwu, Hon. Abraham Oba, while Ifeanyi Uchendu, deputy speaker representing Ohafia South, opposed the matter, noting that “if any road needs urgent attention, its Ohafia south’.
Also, on the alleged mismanagement of Paris refund credited to a former Commissioner for finance, Obinna Oriaku, the speaker, Rt. Honourable, Chinedum Orji said that the House will carry out an investigation on the matter because of its weightiness.
The speaker appointed an AdHoc Committee on the matter comprising of Hon. Barrister Emeka Okorafor, member representing Isukwuato constituency, Hon Chijioke Okechukwu member representing Bende North, Hon Obinna Ichita, Aba south state constituency, Hon. Abraham Oba, representing Aba sector and Rev. Emeka Otumchere.
The speaker announced the indefinite suspension of the proposed recess for the House members, adding that the AdHoc committee set for investigations into the alleged misappropriation of the Paris refund, has one week to report back to the House on its findings.
