In a bid to foster a more secure environment and curb insecurity in Imo State, the Imo State House Of Assembly has moved to provide for “Imo State Public safety Bill”.
Going by the Bill being sponsored by the Member Representing Orsu State Constituency, Rt Hon Engr Francis Agbige during plenary on Wednesday, 18/09/2024, and titled : A LAW TO PROVIDE FOR IMO STATE PUBLIC SAFETY SURVEILLANCE LAW AND FOR OTHER RELATED MATTERS.
The Orsu Representative and ranking member of the house is seeking for continuous observation of public places through the use of CCTC systems to enhance security and public safety.
Rt Hon Engr Agabige during the second reading of the Bill argued and made a very good case for Protection of data. He noted that the necessary measures and right protocols will be put in place to ensure the security and privacy of recordings captured by CCTV camera, which may be stored digitally
The Bill also states that the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation and Engineering Services shall be responsible for compliance
This law will be binding on the following:
(1)Owners of any public place in the state shall install CCTV in it’s premises for security surveillance purpose
(2) Business Owners (Medium and large scale enterprise) and business clusters
3) Management of parks, recreation center, worships centers and educational institutions.
4) Community Association responsible for estates and community clusters
5) Government establishment, including State and Local Government Secretariats,. Prisons, Police and Military formations in the State, offices of State and Federal Govt Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the State.
Etc
The ministry shall ensure that CCTV is installed in all public places in the State to capture both the inside and the surrounding premises where it is installed.
He further argued that any person or corporate body who default shall be compelled by the law to pay a fine or face 3 years imprisonment
The law which shall come into effect six months after it’s assent by the Governor shall compel Owners of public places to also mount signage indicating the presence of CCTV surveillance must be conspicuously placed in all monitored areas.
Subject to the approval of Governor, the Commissioner shall establish a supervisory body to ensure compliance of the law while the office of the Attorney General of the state shall appoint law officers for the prosecution of the offenders under this law
Any offence under this Law shall be tried summarily by a Magistrate Court with Jurisdiction where the offence was committed
Any owner of a public place who fails, refuse, neglect to install CCTV system commits an offence and is liable of fine of N1,000,000 naira or three (3) years imprisonment and sealing up of the premises.
In the case of a corporate body, such defaulting corporate body shall be liable to a fine of 1,000,000 and sealing up of the premises until compliance with the provision of the law
This legislation is aimed at enhancing public safety and security.
RT Hon ENGR AGABIGE, the Chief Sponsor of the bill also highlighted the bills intent to foster partnership between the government and the public, ensuring that the environment is well protected. The proposed law aims to improve public safety, deter violence and crime and provide crucial evidence for law enforcement and judicial purposes.
Also on the floor of the house on Wednesday a motion was moved on the floor of the House to restrict and regulate the activities of Iron metal scrappers in Imo State by Hon Obinna Egu. Member Representing Ngorkpala at Imo State House of Assembly
Due to the fact that most of these iron metal (scavengers) indulge in illegal activities such as theft, vandalism of major components of electricity transformers, spying and releasing of vital security information to kidnappers and hoodlums, which according to him has caused serious security threat within and around communities and neighbourhoods, both in the rural areas and in the urban areas of the state. Hon Obinna Egu further argued that the Motion was not aimed at discouraging scavengers from earning decent living, but insisted that what ordinarily should have been a legitimate business in recycling materials from waste to wealth has, regrettably, become a huge source of security threat in Imo State.
In his words, the only voice from Ngor/Okpala said, “I have heard stories, and it has become regular, of how these scavengers jump into people’s compounds, making away with their properties, such as generators, car batteries, washed clothes, television sets, just anything on sight. They have become criminal elements but chose to hide under the cover of “Iron Condemn” to carry out their criminal acts. They are everywhere in the state. Now that Nigeria is seriously facing security threats, there is therefore the urgent need to know who these people are. We need to curtail their activities”.
The vibrant and ebullient lawmaker thereafter called on his Honourable Colleagues to lend their voices in support of the Motion, so as to ensure that the source of security threat in the state is minimized.
The Motion which received popular support from Honourable Members present at plenary, was seconded by Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie, Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency and was co-sponsored by the following 10 Honourable Members :
1. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.
2. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.
3. Hon Clinton Amadi.
4. Hon Johnson Duru.
5. Hon Francis Osuoha.
6. Hon Gilbert Nwosu.
7. Hon Innocent Ikpamezie.
8. Hon Johnleoba Iheoha.
9. Hon Ikenna Ihezuo.
10. Hon James Uba Esile.
Showing support to the Chief Sponsor, Hon Obinna Egu, the following Honourable Members made commendable contributions to the Motion :
1. Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli).
2. Hon Engr Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu (Oguta).
3. Hon Chief Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West).
4. Hon Barrister Emeka Ozurumba (Isu).
5. Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha (Ikeduru).
6. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie (Aboh Mbaise).
In their respective submissions, they commended Hon Obinna Egu for coming up with the Motion, which was rightly described as a Save-Our-Soul Motion. According to them, the Motion came at the right time, insisting that most of the scrap metal scavengers are security threats in the state, going by the litany of woes and criminal acts associated with them, such as even cutting iron railings of walkways provided by the State Government, stealing goats and putting them in sack bags, abduction of little children etc. The Honourable Members therefore called for urgent measures to be put in place to check the worrisome activities of “Iron Condemn” Scavengers before it snowballs into what may no longer be controlled by government.
In his remark, the Speaker of the Imo State House Of Assembly, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, noted that the activities of these scrap metal scavengers have not only become worrisome but have called for urgent attention.
Satisfied with contributions from Honourable Members, Rt Honourable Olemgbe put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :
Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge The Imo State Government Through The Ministry Of Homeland Security And Vigilante Affairs And Other Security Related Agencies To Checkmate The Ugly Activities Of Scrap Metal Scavengers In Imo State, To Guarantee A More Peaceful Environment Within The State.
The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.
Author Credit: Samuelson Iwuoha