In view of the motion moved by former Speaker, and Member Representing Obowo State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibeh, the Imo State House of Assembly has called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to direct the Ministry of Agriculture to immediately source, and procure improved and high yielding seedlings for distribution to farmers in the State.
This according to them is to prepare the state for a bountiful harvest season this year.
The motion which was presented by the Obowo lawmaker on Tuesday was co-sponsored by ten other lawmakers.
To ensure there is a bumper harvest in Imo State in the 2025 harvest season, thereby crashing the high cost of food, reducing the cost of living and improving the living standards of the people, the Imo State House Of Assembly has urged the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to direct the Ministry Of Agriculture to source and procure improved and high yield seedlings for distribution to farmers, preparatory for a 2025 bumper harvest season.
This was the outcome of the Plenary activity on Tuesday 18/03/2025.
Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Obowo State Constituency, Rt Honourable Barrister Kennedy Chiedozie Ibeh (Nke-Nke Enyi), explained that since the rains have begun to come, and farmers have started going to their farms, there is need to assist them with improved and high yield seedlings for a bumper harvest later in the year, especially, considering the current high cost of food stuffs, which have worsened the living conditions of citizens.
According to Rt Honourable Kennedy Ibeh, the Motion aims to address hunger and economic recession, which if properly looked into, will go a long way to solve food insecurity situation. In his words, the Obowo lawmaker stated that, *“the deliberate sourcing of high yield seedlings can improve crop yield and harvest in Imo State, thereby reducing the cost of living and improving the living standards of the people in the State”.
The prolific lawmaker while noting the interest and efforts of Governor Uzodimms’s administration in promoting sustainable Agricultural Development and Reduction of Poverty in the State further said that *“from Nigerian Bureau Of Statistics, 70% of Imo Citizens are involved in farming. Let us therefore, as a Government, empower our people with the right high yield seedlings, for planting, so as to have bumper harvest, in order to fight hunger, increase Imo Gross Domestic Product (GDP), create employment and reduce cost of living”.
The Motion which received popular support from Honourable Members, and was seconded by Hon Chief Ozioma Worship Benneth Ebonine, Member Representing Njaba State Constituency, was co-sponsored by the following lawmakers :
1. Hon Johnson Iheonukara Duru.
2. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.
3. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.
4. Hon Uche Francis Agabige
5. Hon Chisom Ojukwu.
6. Hon Clinton Christopher Amadi.
7. Hon Dominic Ugochukwu Ezerioha.
8. Hon Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie.
9. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji.
10. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie.
The following lawmakers supported the Motion :
1. Hon Chief Chidiebere Samuel Ogbunikpa (Okigwe).
2. Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre).
3. Hon Engr Johnson Iheonukara Duru (Ideato South).
4. Hon Hon Barrister Dominic Ugochukwu Ezerioha (Oru West).
5. Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli).
6. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie (Aboh Mbaise).
7. Hon Barrister Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba(Isu).
8. Hon Chief James Uba Esile (Onuimo).
9. Hon Okey Ernest Udeze (Ideato North).
In their respective submissions, they commended the Chief Sponsor for the Motion, noting that improved seedlings is the key to have bumper harvest. According to the supporting lawmakers, responsibility should be given to persons to ensure food security in the State and avert further slide in poor harvests, as the fulcrum of the Motion centered on (1) Reduction of Hunger and (2) Reduction in Inflation.
Satisfied with contributions from Honourable Members, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, put it to Vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :
Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency The Governor Of Imo State, To Direct The Ministry Of Agriculture To Immediately Source And Procure Improved And High Yield Seedlings For Distribution To Farmers In Imo State Preparatory For A 2025 Bumper Harvest Season.
The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.