NEWS FLASH FROM COMMUNITIES IN NJABA LGA! UMUAKA: IMO HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OKAYS 32 NEW LOCAL GOVERNEMT AREAS: MAY 11, 2003 OWERRI—IMO State House of Assembly has passed the bill for the creation of 32 new local government areas in the state. Announcing this on the floor of the House, the Speaker, Godfrey Dikeocha, also gave a firm promise that the Assembly would "look into the application of five others after a plebiscite." The areas slated for referendum, according to the Speaker, are Owerri Municipal, Onuimo, Ideato North Central, Ihioma and Alaenyi, while Okolochi and Igbala were designated as the headquarters of newly created Owerri East and Owerri South Local Government areas respectively. Continuing, Dikeocha said that with the latest creation, the state now has a total of 59 local government areas, even as the bill stipulated May 9, 2003 as its effective date. The state governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, was similarly empowered by the bill, to appoint interim management committees for all the newly created council areas. Dikeocha, however said that the bill also made provision for the ratification of the nominees by the House, stressing that the committee would only have a life span of three months. "Government is expected to constitute an asset sharing committee immediately and they are expected to complete their job within one month," Dikeocha said. On the referendum, the Speaker fixed the coming week for the exercise and ordered the chairman of the state Independent Electoral Commission to see him, with a view to working out the modalities for conducting the plebiscite. Vanguard recalls that the day's session became stormy when the member representing Owerri North constituency, Mr. Nnaemeke Maduagwu, insisted on pointing out some "inherent irregularities," in the bill. The Speaker threatened to walk him out of the legislative chambers if he did not sit down. Sanity later prevailed after about 10 minutes. FROM CHRISTIAN NWACHUKWU ESQ TO ALL SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF UMUAKA: The Old boys Association of St. Savoiur's Secondary School had a meeting on March 24, 2003, at the principal's house. The president of Old Boys Association, Dr. Ojiaka, a Lagos based physician; and Chief E.I. Amadike, principal St. Saviour's Secondary School Umuaka chaired the meeting. Old boys Association mandated myself and Professor Mike Dike to meet with Dr. Obnina Duruji to know more about African University of Science and Technology, since the idea of this university came to Umuaka when he was commissioner for education in Imo State. On March 28, 2003, the representatives of Old Boys Association and University Liaison Committee had a meeting at my Heritage Villa in Uba Umuaka. University Liaison members present at the meeting: 1. Eze Aloysius Ojinnaka; 2. Dr. Obinna Duruji, Honorable Commissioner for Youths & Sports; 3. Chief Apollo Nnaji, Secretary University Liaison Committee; 4. Chief Nicholas Nnabue; 5. Chief O.J. Onumara; 6. Chief John Oziwuru; 7. Chief Alphonsius Okwara; and 8. Chief Ijeomah, Secretary General Ugbele-Akah Autonomous Community and former vice principal of St. Saviour's Secondary School. Divisional Police Officer in Umuaka, M.A. Amoni observed the meeting. Issues raised at the meeting are: 1. Whether African University of Science andTechnology is a private or public university; 2. Whether African University of Science and Technology is approved by relevant authorities in Nigeria especially Nigeria University Commission (NUC); 3. Whether Imo State Government approved African University of Science and Technology to take over St. Saviour's Secondary School; 4. Taking community property by a private university; 5. Authority of Eze Aloysius Ojinnaka to grant deed of conveyance and sign memorandum of understanding with African University of Science and Technology; 6. Whether Umuaka community can be able to build another secondary school. St. Saviour's Secondary School has 21 buildings and vast area of land conservatively valued at more than 400 million naira; 7. African University of Science and Technology coexisting with St. Saviour's Secondary School; 8. Resettlement of students at a suitable place by African University of Science and Technology; 9. Whether African University of Science Technology has foreign partners/campus or adequate funding to run a university; and 10. Umuaka community allocating land to African University of Science and Technology. The following resolutions were agreed at the meeting: 1. It is not feasible for Umuaka community to build another secondary school for boys; 2. That African University of Science and Technology shall build houses for the relocation of students before moving into St. Saviour's Secondary School; 3. That Umuaka community shall send professor Dike immediately to Nigeria University Commission in Abuja to verify the status of African University of Science and Technology. Professor Dike complained about the cost of the trip. I donated ten thousand naira to defray the cost. Please download attachment to get full minutes of the meeting and answers to the questions posed. Chris Chima Nwachukwu, Esquire CHEVRON OIL COMPANY APPEALS FOR PEACE IN UMUAKA AGAINST OIL WORKERS From Athan Mgbati--Owerri: February 24, 2003 FEBRUARY 24, 2003: The Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria, Mr Jay Pryor, has appealed to people of the Niger Delta region as well as other oil producing areas to shun hostilities against Chevron oil workers. He also pledged that the company would continue to pursue socio-economic development of host communities. Pryor said that development of oil communities by oil companies was possible only in the atmosphere of peace and called for co-operation between host communities and Chevron at all times. "Within the limits of the resources available to the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, we will continue to make contributions. However, it is important to note that we can do this only when the environment is conducive. I will, therefore, use this opportunity to make a passionate appeal for peace and co-operation between us and our host communities in Imo State." Pryor who was represented by Mr Fred Owotorufa of Public Affairs Eastern Operation, said this while commissioning electricity and water projects in five communities in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State. The communities are Umuaka Community in Njaba LGA, Ifakala community, Mbaitoli LGA, Umunoha community, Mbaitoli and others are Eziama Obiato with the project measuring about N 30,000 gallons each. Mr Pryor later said that the donations were made as part of Chevron's policy of concern for development of host communities and charged community heads to ensure adequate protection of the facilities. LOCAL GOVT VERIFICATION TEAM TO VISIT UMUAKA From Ugo Ezu--Owerri: November 03, 2002 SOURCE: THIS DAY THE IMO STATE GOVERNEMENT COMMITTEE ON NEW LGA TO VISIT UMUAKA NOV 6,2002. Report just filed by our reporter from Owerri,Imo State house of assembly that the 12 man verification team tasked with the singular responsibilty of verifying,inpecting and recommending for approval, all the proposed new Local Government councils in the state, will visit Umuaka on the 6th of November 2002. The team will be greeted on arrival by all the paramount chiefs representing the new autonomous communities in Umuaka. The paramount chiefs will be flanked by Ezeh Ojinnaka of Umuaka, who will introduce them to the team of inspectors. The group will immediately they arrive, visit the proposed site for the new Local Govt headquarters situated at Isiozi autonomous community. They will also pay a courtesy call on the Ezeh, and to the commissioner for sports, DR Duruji NEWS FROM UMUAKA IN NJABA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA From Emeka Odueze: October 15, 2002 Dallas Texas USA UMUAKA GETS APPROVAL FROM IMO STATE GOVT. FOR NEW AUTONOMUOS COMMUNITIES. Fellows, Report just received has it that the autonomous communities bill recently passed by the house of assembly has been signed into law by the governor of Imo State. The announcement of the newly created autonomous communities was made today over the air waves. With this development, Isiozi, Ibele, Ugbelle and Amakor are now officially autonomous communities. That leaves Uba, Amiyi, Achara and Amafor of what is left of Old Umuakah. All good thinking Akahs should remember this day as a new chapter in the history of Akahland. Whether it will be good or bad remains to be seen. In God we trust. Udo ga adi. Emeka C.F Odueze "Nwakaibeya" IMO STATE GOVT OKAYS 172 NEW AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri TO allow for even development and unity, the Imo state Governor Achike Udenwa has approved the creation of 172 new autonomous communities in the state. The okayed new communities are spread across the three senatorial zones in the state namely, Owerri, Orhu and Okigwe. The State House of Assembly had few months ago passed a bill for the creation of additional autonomous communities following the avalanche of demands for them. In a statement, the secretary to The State Government (SSG) Ignatius Umunna said top on the list of communities created are Aboh Mbaise and Mbaitolu (in Owerri senatorial district) councils which have 15 autonomous communities each Ikeduru and Ngor Okpala councils got six each while Owerri north and Owerri West councils have four newly created communities each. All in the Owerri zone. The statement further stated that in the Okigwe zone, Ehime Mbano Onuimo councils have ten new communities each. Isiala Mbano councils has four new communities, Nwangele local government also has four new communities. Others created include Okigwe six, Ihutte Uboma, three, Obowo eight. In Orlu zone, Ideato North and Ideato South got five and four respectively. While Nwangele council has four newly created communities. Orlu Oru East and Njaba councils have seven approved while Ohaji/Egbema and Isu councils got six new communities. Ehime Mbano local government area has the second highest number with additional 13 communities while Oru West and Onuimo got additional 10 new communities. The statement said that plebiscite would be conducted in communities which have not be granted autonomy to determine the genuineness of their claim. The communities include Uzueze I West, Ehime, Ezeoma Oruala, Ozuakoli Oruala, Owerri Municipal, Okirika Nwankwo Chite Ebube.. Relatedly the Mbaitoli autonomous community in Mbantol council in the state they coronated Oliver Nwaozuzu as the new traditional ruler. IMO HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OKAYS BILL ON NEW AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES Friday 27th September, 2002 By Chidi Nkwopara The passage of the current bill brings to about four the number of bills sent to Chief Udenwa for assent since the present Speaker, Mr. Godfrey Dikeocha, was elected August 19, 2002. The others include Imo State scholarship board bill, Imo State University restructuring bill and Imo State University Teaching Hospital Bill. Explaining the rationale behind the multi-campus structure now being planned for Imo State University, Owerri, during a recent press briefing in his office, the Speaker said “the project is realisable. His words: “Government does not need to wait until it has enough money before going into the project. We have only enunciated the policy and it is for government to work towards the realisation of the noble project.” He denied that the multi-campus structure will further polarise the state into Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri senatorial zones. Dikeocha recalled that the Senate President, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, and himself were products of the multi campus structure of Imo State University before the creation of Abia State. “The biggest industry in Imo State is education. Nobody can afford to toy with it in this state. Whatever the present administration cannot accomplish now will be left for those who would come after us,” Dikeocha said. Answering another question, the Speaker said that the major constraint of the House of Assembly "is lack of funds." , adding that “there are a lot of things to be done which have remained undone.” Afor Umuaka main market Umuaka community hospital Umuaka High School staff room Umuaka water project sited at Isiozi Okwudor-Awo-Omanma road