The leadership of the National Assembly has been charged to take concrete steps to ensure that the bill for the creation of Anioma state brought before it is given urgent attention.
The charge is contained in a statement issued by NIGERIA UNITED, a socio-political organization with the objective of building bridges of understanding and oneness among all peoples of Nigeria.
According to the statement signed by the group’s Public Affairs Director, Marvel Okwuosa, the creation of Anioma state will enthrone equity, justice, fair play and harmony among the concerned strata of Nigeria.
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The statement holds further that the easiest route to the attainment of peace, progress and development is for all concerned in a union to be given a sense of belonging. The creation of Anioma state, it says, will make this state of affairs possible in the marginalized, almost forgotten, segment of the country.
Senator Ned Nwoko, the senator representing Delta North in the senate, recently brought a bill to the senate for the creation of Anioma state out of Delta state. In the bill, Senator Nwoko is requesting that the nine local government areas that make up the senatorial district be carved out into Anioma state. He also proposed that the state, when created, should be grouped among the south east states to bring the number of states in the geopolitical zone at par with other zones.
The south east has only five states at moment as against the six by others, with the north west having seven.
The group is of the firm belief that the creation of Anioma state will not only redress this imbalance, it will engender equity, justice and harmony among the constituent units. The bill has since passed through the first reading on the floor of the senate.
The statement entitled: “Expedite Action on Anioma State Creation” reads in part:
“We have followed with keen interest issues surrounding the bill for the creation of Anioma state as proposed by Senator Ned Nwoko, the senator representing Delta North in the senate.
The bill has all the ingredients of equity, justice and fair play as it seeks to bring about balance in the equality of states among the geopolitical zones. After taking a holistic look at all the demands for the creation of new states before the National Assembly, we are convinced that Anioma state, more than any other, makes a compelling sense and therefore deserves to be created.
“We took cognizance of a few voices of dissent from parts of Anioma that came in-between along the line, but are delighted to note that the dissenting voices have petered out because they have been presented with a superior argument. Today, we note with satisfaction that all Anioma people are on the same page in this matter.
“We therefore call on the leadership of the National Assembly to give the bill by Senator Ned Nwoko an expedited action as it is worthy and fitting. We urge the National Assembly to isolate the Anioma state creation bill and give it all the attention it deserves.
The actualization of the dream of Anioma state is long overdue. We urge the legislative arm of government to use the Anioma experiment to break the jinx that a civilian administration cannot create states in Nigeria.
