Two members of the 8th House of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hons Kennedy Ibe, Obowo State Constituency and Uju Onwudiwe, Njaba State Constituency, have denied allegations that the House purposely enacted the Public Private Partnership, PPP, which gave rise to Eastern Palm University, just to favour ex Gov Rochas Okorocha.
The duo who opened up on the controversial law on Wednesday while contributing to the debate on a bill that sought to repel the law, said the House passed the law to encourage private investors to partner the government for the economic development of the state.
Besides, they made it categorically clear that the House was never at any point in time part of the writing or signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, the gave rise to Eastern Palm University.
The lawmakers threw their weight behind the bill which sought the repeal of that controversial law of 2019 which established the Eastern Palm University, and for the institution to be re named K.O Mbadiwe University.
Presenting the executive bill before the House earlier, House Deputy Majority Leader, Hon.Emeka Nduka explained that the bill is of urgent public importance considering its nature.
The lawmaker who represents Ehime Mbano State Constituency, noted that it is very wrong for an individual to use state funds to procure private property, insisting that what belongs to the State must return to the State.
Hon. Nduka stressed further that the bill if passed into law will go a long way to saving the state from greedy politicians and private individuals.”What we are asking for is the repealing of the law establishing Eastern Palm University and re enacting of a new law to establish K.O Mbadiwe University. The University as it stands today is built with Imo tax payers money and must go back to State”
Supporting the motion, Member representing Owerri West,Hon.Kanoyo Onyemaechi said that the bill is coming at the right time as Imo people have been expecting the bill and urged the House to give it a speedy passage.
Hon. Kennedy Ibeh stated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which established the Eastern Palm University is not a product of House of Assembly document.
The bill was later passed into law after much deliberation.
