Imo Speaker’s New Year Message to the 9th Assembly of Imo State
Dear colleagues,
May I, on behalf of the Leadership of the 9th Assembly of Imo State wish us all a very peaceful and prosperous year 2022.
How time flies! We are now at the 3rd year of a 4 year Legislative journey we commenced since Middle of year 2019.
The 9th Assembly of Imo State has been quite dramatic, enlightening and intriguing. In a wide range of considerations, the 9th House prides in her uniqueness.
November 8, 2021 will remain indelible in the trajectory cum anals of history of the 9th House as a major shake-up brought about my emergence as Speaker Imo State House of Assembly. This remains most remarkable as I, together with five other Members were just returning to the House after about four months of Suspension for no cogent and/or verifiable reasons.
On assumption of office as Speaker, as a Parliamentarian who had served diligently and consistently in the previous Assembly, It was clear to me that the Imo Legislature was ailing and required urgent attention. Most disturbing was that the spirit of service and allegiance to the institution was at its lowest ebb amongst serving Members such that the corporate image of the institution was comatose.
It appeared as if Members were more committed to their individual welfare than striking a balance between their welfare and the welfare of the institution they served in. The image of the Legislative arm of Government had suffered life threatening abandonment.
With a heart full of courage, determination and optimism, the new Leadership embarked on the journey to revive and revamp the Imo Parliament.
Undeterred by the pains associated with Change, we commenced a necessary and urgent surgical procedure to pluck out anomalies. We had one resolve; to restore the dignity and sanctity of the Legislative arm of Imo State Government. We invoked the spirit of uncommon sacrifices. We came out tough on this course but also very forthright.
First, was to address and arrest a scary financial management order which pervaded the system, then the transformation of the Office of the Speaker to provide for a dignifying ambience for meetings and Executive sessions, then came the training of Members through an all important Seminar and workshop, then the enthronment of Seriousness to plenaries by causing early resumptions and closures, then the clear elevation of professionalism to Legislative businesses, the revamped commitment to the Rules of the House and due process, restoration of ethical conduct and discipline of Members and Staffers, renovation of the temporary Assembly complex, renewed professional collaboration between the Legislative arm and other arms of Government. All these in less than two months!
I have no doubt that in driving this necessary change, sacrifices are heightened, eggs are broken, egos are bruised and friendships are won and lost. Such are the prices often paid for positive growth. A seed that is not buried does not sprout to beauty. Imo Legislature must live again!
I must thank you dear Colleagues for your patience in this necessary moments of sacrifice. It is only for a short time and we will be cruising happily.
Let me on behalf of the Leadership assure us all that our long overdue Statutory welfare packages like parcel of Land, rent etc will be addressed early in this first quarter by the grace of God. Such other welfare packages that will engender greater job satisfaction will also be pursued with the requisite vigour. Regardless of shortness of time left to hit 2023, we shall endeavour to rehook our Assembly to global Parliamentary arrangements such as the CPA African region, the CPA International and such others that are relevant to our collective progress.
Let me further assure us that the current leadership of the 9th House is credible, focused, frugal and most determined to bring about changes that will elevate the rating and estimation of the House and her Members in the eyes and minds of all right thinking members of the Nigerian Society. We therefore will need your individual cooperation at all times.
While wishing us all a very prosperous new year 2022, let me urge us to love one another and to love the Legislature which has become our Constituency.
God bless us all.
Rt. Hon. Barr. Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh
Nkenkenyi
Our Speaker.
1/1/2022.