‘Intervening factors’ stall publishing of Imo Assembly yearly reports

The expected yearly report of the Imo State House of Assembly Service Commission has run into arrears, following what the establishment’s Chairman, Chief Emeka Okoronkwo, called “some intervening factors.” Okoronkwo made this known while submitting the Commission’s 2014 Report to the Speaker of the State Assembly, Chief Acho Ihim, in his office. “The delay in presenting the 2014 Annual Report was necessitated by the change of leadership of the Assembly Service Commission”, Okoronkwo said.

According to the Commission’s Chairman, the former Chairman, Chief Emma Ibediro, who doubled as the State Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC, was encumbered with the 2015 general elections. “There was also the interregnum experienced at the commission, which lasted for about six months. All these realities engineered the late submission of the 2014 Annual Report”, Chief Okoronkwo explained.

While promising that the 2015 Annual Report would be submitted shortly to the Speaker, the Chairman also appealed to the Speaker to facilitate the speedy completion and furnishing of their new office complex.

Speaking after receiving the report, the Speaker charged Okoronkwo to instill proper work ethics and discipline in the Commission’s staff, stressing that the incessant industrial action over minor issues could have been discussed through dialogue. While calling for quick submission of all subsequent annual reports, the Speaker also promised to assist the Commission succeed in its constitutional assignment.