The Imo State House of Assembly has recommended the relocation of St Vincent Mortuary near Imo State Polytechnic, Ehime Mbano, Umunakanu campus, as part of effort to revitalize the campus as the location of the morgue within the institution undermines development of the school.
The House took the decision on Thursday, during the Committee of the Whole, when the House considered the report on House Committee on Education on a petition titled:”Effort Undermining the Development and Progress of Imo State Polytechnic Ehime Mbano Campus a Call for Intervention “. The petition was brought by the people of Umunakanu Community.
In the petition, the people of
Umunakanu complained about a number of things which include: the insensitivity of Imopoly authority to their corperate social responsibility, duplication of seven courses offered in Ehime Mbano Umunakanu Campus in its Orlu campus leading to students who were offered admission at Ehime Mbano campus relocating to Orlu campus because of its near urban status.
The petition also stated that while no member of the host community is part of the academic staff, the fund meant for the development of the campus was also diverted to Orlu campus just as no person from Okigwe Zone is a member of the governing board of the institution.
In their findings, the House Committee on Education which was then led by Hon. Phillip Ejiogu, discovered that St Vincent Mortuary, which is located close to the institution accounts for why most students are relocating from the school to Orlu campus.
It also found out that the government of Rochas Okoocha, made available the sum of N5 million to Chief Emma Burkar, then Commissioner of Science and Technology, for the relocation of the Mortuary and wondered why it was not done.
The Committee further stated that in their interaction, the Rector of the institution claimed ignorance of most of the issues, but said the issue of course duplication was already handled by a Technical Committee set up by the government.
The Rector explained that since he assumed office, he has never employed anybody and that no fund meant for Ehime Mbano Campus was diverted.
After due considerations of the petition at the Committee of the Whole, the House recommended a relocation of the Mortuary, an invitation of Chief Emma Burka and other officials of the Institution to explain why the mortuary has not been relocated despite the N5 million that was provided for such purpose. The House further recommended a facility tour of Imopoly Ehime Mbano Campus, Umunakanu, be undertaken by House Committee on Education.
Honourable members who lend their voices to the discussion include, Hon. Prince Emeka Nduka, Ehime Mbano, Rt Hon. Uju Onwudiwe, Njaba, Hon. Dominic Ezerioha and Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri, Chief Whip.
Also at the plenary, the honourable member representing Ngor Okpala State Constituency, Hon. Blyden Amajirionwu, brought the attention of the House to the television interview where Hon. Solomon Anukam, member representing Owerri Municipal, said that the only gorvernor he recognises is Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihidioha.
Hon. Byden considered this an afront on the government and called on the House to apply possible measures based on the House Rule. The Deputy Speaker,Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu moved a motion for a adhoc committee that will look into the matter to be constituted.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh, who put the motion to voice vote, said such allegation amount to treason if found to be true. He therefore announced an adhoc committee led by Hon. Dominic Ezerioha, other members of the committees are Rt. Hon. Chiiji Collins and Rt. Hon. Uju Onwudiwe. The committee is is to work with Hon Blyden Amajironwe to investigate the source of the information. The outcome of their findings will help Hon. Blyden in his presentation of the case substantially if confirmed. He however said the Hon. Member will be ruled out of order if his claims lack merit.