The Imo State House of Assembly has called on the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and other relevant agencies to come to the aid of residents of communities in Orsu LGA of the state, who returned home after a long period of living in exile following the outbreak of insecurity since 2020.
The House made the call while adopting the motion moved by the member representing Orsu state constituency, Uche Francis Agabige.
Presenting the motion, the lawmaker explained: “The insecurity in Orsu snowballed into something else, and even extended to the neighbouring Oru East and other environs. If not for the governor, there wouldn’t have been anything like Orsu again. The breakdown of law and order led to the loss of lives and properties, desertification of security formations, and displacement of indigenous people.”
Agabige informed that presently, the Nigeria Police was able to restore police stations across the LGA, with its personnel in full control of security operations in the area, which he said was a sign that normalcy had returned.
The lawmaker urged his colleagues to lend their voices in supporting the motion, especially the urgent appeal for humanitarian assistance to the returnees, who he said had lost their belongings and means of livelihood due to the ugly development.
“We are like people who have recovered from war, so we need total rehabilitation of our infrastructural facilities, such as health centres, schools, markets, courts, and so on.
“Our roads are no longer motorable, and this allows hoodlums to operate. Orsu people should be assisted with relief materials like food, foam, clothes, medication, and other essential materials to enable them to start life again,” he appealed.
The House, after much deliberation on the motion, resolved to urge the governor to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, NDDC, and other relevant agencies to assist the people of Orsu with relief materials.
It also resolved to urge the governor to rehabilitate critical infrastructures in the area.
The clerk, Chinelo Emeghara, was directed to communicate the resolution of the House to the governor.
