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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Senator Osita Izunaso representing Imo West at the upper chamber of the National Assembly has made case for Orlu to be considered as a State following the move for an additional State in the Southeast by the House of Representatives.
Izunaso speaking to newsmen during his empowerment programme in Owerri at the weekend believes Orlu is best qualified to be considered as a State from the Southeast following its large local government areas.
He said “It’s very possible and realistic, we just have to get started, you know in Nigeria today virtually every zone has six States ,Northwest has seven States,it’s only Southeast with five States .
“My colleagues at the National Assembly will agree with me that we deserve another State and if we deserve another State it has to come from old Imo State and that’s why we’re talking about Orlu State.
“Orlu zone has twelve local governments ,it’s bigger than about eight States in Nigeria ,there are some State that has eight local government, Bayelsa has eight local governments ,Gombe has eleven local governments ,Ebonyi has 13 local governments ,so we’re overripped to be a State with twelve solid local governments, having boundaries with River,Delta, Anambra,Imo,Enugu and Abia .
“Orlu is an oil producing area ,so in terms of resources we’re qualified ,in terms of population we’re qualified ,so we’re going to push for it and I believe that by the grace of God we would get it
Similarly ,leader of the United Eastern Region Congress, (UERC) Sam Ike has commended the National Assembly for the motion in support of an additional State in Southeast .
Ike in a statement he issued to newsmen in Owerri believes an additional State in the zone is long overdue. He recalled that other zones in the country not bigger than some States in Southeast in population and local government areas were being recognised as a State.
He said I want to commend Ugochinyere and other sponsors of the bill,it’s a welcome development and it’s long overdue. Look at Okigwe it should be regarded as a State but we’re a happy if this comes to fusion ” Ike said.
