The House of Assembly has passed a motion urging Governor Hope Uzodimma to recover the assembly quarters from squatters.

The representative of the Orlu constituency, Ikenna Ihezuo (APC), sponsored the motion.

Presenting the motion, Mr Ihezuo noted that the Imo assembly staff quarters were illegally converted to personal use and needed to be recovered.

He recalled that assembly members and staff, including aides of the lawmakers, were ejected from the premises under very controversial circumstances, and the place was renamed ‘Heroes Apartments’.

He added that the assembly records showed no resolution or agreement to cede the said properties.

He added that the illegal conversion had impacted negatively on members and staff of the assembly, who had to rent accommodation elsewhere.

The lawmaker stated that the purpose of building the quarters had been grossly defeated and should be addressed.

He prayed the lawmakers to urge the governor to use the necessary government machinery to recover the properties from those currently managing them and put them to proper use.

Supporting the motion, Gilbert Nwosu (APC-Oguta) stated that the conversion of the quarters was an insult to the legislature and should not be allowed to continue.

He added that the accommodation of lawmakers in other states was sacrosanct and called for urgent action.

Also supporting the motion, Uche Agabige (APC-Orsu) stated that all those involved in illegally converting the assembly quarters should be brought to book.

He also suggested that everything recovered from the quarters should be handed over to the legislature as compensation.

Contributing to the debate, the Owerri Municipal representative, Kingsley Amadi (LP), noted that the premises had not been well maintained before they were converted for commercial purposes.

He appealed to the government to ensure they are properly maintained when recovered and returned to the parliament.

Following votes in favour of the motion, the speaker, Chike Olemgbe, ruled in favour of prayers of the motion.

The representative of the Isu state constituency, Kingsley Ozurumba (APC), was also sworn in during the plenary session. 

(NAN)