Owerri – The Imo House of Assembly on Tuesday urged Gov. Rochas Okorocha to direct relevant agencies to provide electricity and training equipment in the recently inaugurated vocational training centres in the state.
This was part of the resolution adopted by the lawmakers following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Mr Uche Agabiga (APC-Orsu) in Owerri.
Presenting the motion, Agabiga said that the skill acquisition centres were instituted using the personal funds of the first lady, Mrs Nkechi Okorocha as her office does not receive any allocations.
He commended the governor’s wife for siting the project in the three senatorial zones of the state and requested that the centres be fully equipped to become functional.
Agabiga prayed the Assembly to urge the governor to direct the Ministries of Public Utilities, Women Affairs and Social Development to ensure the maintenance of the centres.
“The Ministry of Public Utilities should provide power generating sets and solar illuminating panels to ensure that the centres are properly illuminated.
“Training equipment should be provided to aid the training of the students by the Ministry of Women Affairs.
“I also want this Honourable House to write a letter of commendation to the governor’s wife for her efforts toward eradicating poverty and improving the welfare of indigent citizens,’’ he said.
Supporting the motion, Mr Ikechuckwu Amuka (Ideato South-APC), also urged the state government to follow up on the progress of the centres so that they do not go moribund.
Speaking against the motion, Mr Mike Iheanetu (PDP-Aboh Mbaise) noted that the centres are a pet project of the governor’s wife and as such, should not be equipped by government ministries.
Iheanetu noted that huge donations were made towards the support of the centrer on the day of their inauguration and suggested that they should be equipped from the funds realised.
He also noted that the equipment of the centres was not captured in the budgetary allocations of any of the ministries and so should not be foisted on them.
Following votes in favour of the motion by the majority of the legislators, the Speaker, Mr Iheanacho Ihim (Okigwe- APC) ruled that the prayers of the motion be granted.
The speaker also urged the Clerk to forward a commendation letter to the wife of the governor for her contributions towards the progress of the state and the eradication of poverty. (NAN)
