By Fred Odu
A former member of the House of Representatives and Secretary of the Technical Committee on the Agitation for the Creation of Anioma State, Rt Hon Ossai Nicholas Ossai has said all the necessary steps are being taken to actualise the much-expected statehood.
Hon Ossai, in an interview with our reporter in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, stated that Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North in the National Assembly, had vowed to pursue the Anioma dream of decades past to its logical end.
He disclosed that the Technical Committee had made significant progress in gathering information and documents relating to the past and present agitations for the creation of Anioma State that would aid the July 4 and 5 public hearing in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state
The former Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency representative said he was looking forward to a fair hearing by the relevant Senate Committee and presentation of the public hearing outcome to the Senate plenary for further legislative action.
Hon Ossai explained that when passed by the Senate, the Bill would be transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence before going to the President for his assent.
He pointed out that with 75 Senators already backing the Anioma State Creation Bill and the chances of more following suit, the Bill was good to go, adding that efforts were in place to secure identical two-third approval of the House of Representatives so that the Bill could fly.
According to him, other requirements were being handled by the Technical Committee made up of notable traditional rulers, serving and former members of the House of Representatives from the region, representatives of the NBA, Civil Society Organizations, Anioma Professionals, Izu Anioma, Anioma Congress, Onu Ika, Ndokwa Neku Union, amongst others.
Hon Ossai called on sons and daughters of Anioma to mobilize fully for the public hearing which promises to be a significant turning point in the quest for Anioma State.
Meanwhile, Senator Ned Nwoko on Sunday inaugurated the technical committee for the creation of Anioma state. The inauguration was held at Ogwa Ukwu Ahaba.
According to the lawmaker, the formal inauguration was a key step in advancing the Bill he presented before the National Assembly for Anioma State creation.
He disclosed that the committee will be chaired by His Royal Majesty, Obi Professor Epiphany Azinge, the Asagba of Asaba, with His Royal Majesty, Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi, the Dein of Agbor, as Co-Chairman, and His Royal Majesty, Obuenwe Johnson Ekpech, the Ezemu of Emu, as Vice Chairman.
He made special recognition to all the traditional rulers across Delta North who, by natural identity and royal responsibility, are integral members of the historic committee.
“The work has begun, with unity, clarity, and determination,” he said.
