Imo Assembly Resumption Fails, As Lawmakers Shun Plenary Session -

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The planned resumption of members of the Imo State House of Assembly could not hold yesterday as no quorum was formed by the House foe plenary session.

It would be recalled that the members ended their plenary session in March this year for Easter break and agreed to adjourn sitting to 2^nd May.

However, a majority of the Honourable Members shunned sitting on the scheduled day of resumption. Of the 27-member House, only four were present for resumption fueling speculation that the lawmakers are not ready to commence legislative functions.

At the resumed sitting presided by the Deputy Speaker, Pharmacist Donatus Ozoemena of Oru West Constituency, only four members namely, Honourables Stan Dara, Luke Chukwu and Ugonna Ozuruigbo registered presence on the floor of the House. The presence of the trio including the Deputy Speaker who presided is a far cry from the required two-thirds majority needed for quorum.

No reason was adduced for their absence but the presiding officer, Odoemena attributed lawmakers’ absence to constituency engagements as many of the honourable members are undertaking inspection of various constituency projects in their localities.

However, sources close to the state legislature disclosed that the poor state of Assembly Complex necessitated by the on going renovation works may have seared the lawmakers from the chamber as many of them had their office equipment and documents destroyed by torrential rainfall that emptied into their offices.

Another source disclosed that the members are still haunted by the ill-manner they carried out the impeachment of former Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, thereby forcing them to keep away from sitting.

Meanwhile, the House has adjourned to May 14, 2013 for a continuation of the plenary session.