The Bill for the creation of a South-East state, Etiti State has been passed for a second reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday, July 11.
The bill suggests the creation of an additional state from the five known states in the South East.
If created, this new state would contain 11 current local government areas in that region.
Amobi Godwin Ogahin, a lawmaker from the region had underscored the significance of establishing the state to ensure that the southeast region is on par with the other zones in the country.
Recall that a bill proposing the creation of Etiti State from Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi States, had passed its first reading at the Green Chamber.
Five members of the House of Representatives, Amobi Ogah, Miriam Onuoha, Kama Nkemkama, Chinwe Nnabuife, and Anayo Onwuegbu, had presented the proposal to establish a new state from the five states in the region.
Why It Matters
From the reports available online, Etiti State would comprise 11 local government areas, drawn from the five parent states and Its LGAs would include Isuikwuato and Umu-Nneochi (Abia), Orumba North and Orumba South (Anambra), Ivo and Ohaozara (Ebonyi), Aninri, Agwu, and Oji River (Enugu), and Okigwe and Onuimo (Imo).
For the State’s capital, Lokpanta, a town in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State, is being considered due to its central location and accessibility.
In light of the present problems afflicting the country, one questions the whether carving out a new State is the most efficient solution to addressing regional development and governance.
In fact, there’s an argument online that the Federal Government should focus on improving its administration rather than establishing a new State.