IMHA Urges Tertiary Institutions to expedite issuance of Certificates to Graduands

Determined to put a stop on the delay in the issuance of Statement of Results, Certificates and Transcripts of students and Graduates of tertiary institutions in state, the Imo State House Of Assembly has urged tertiary institutions in the state to expedite actions on the time required to process and approve Statement of Results, Certificates and Transcripts of graduands and graduates of the Institutions.

Speaking on the matter, the Chief Sponsor of the motion and member representing Njaba State Constituency, Hon Dr Uju Onwudiwe expressed unhappiness and sadness over complaints from various constituencies in the state over the delay of tertiary institutions in issuing Transcripts, Statement of Results and Certificates to students, graduands and graduates. According to her, "These students may need to further their education in other institutions, but faces difficulties in getting transcripts. Perhaps, they have done clearance, school fees, etc, yet, the Administration in schools allegedly make it difficult for them to have their Statement of results and certificates. Employment becomes even more difficult, for the fact that anybody without Statement of Result and or certificate is not a graduate".

Expressing her sadness further, Hon Uju Onwudiwe, who is also the House Committee Chairman On Education said, "Extortion is so high because school Administrators reportedly demand money before they do what they are employed to do, to facilitate expedited releases. We should encourage our children to get their transcripts and certificates without paying extra fees"

Hon Onwudiwe also went further to mention tertiary institutions in the state to include, Imo State University, IMSU, Federal University of Technology, FUTO, Imo State Polytechnic, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, AIFCE, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, FECOLAT etc, describing them as reputable institutions producing quality graduates who are doing amazing things in the country and across the globe.

These delays in the release of transcripts and certificates for students have Continued to discourage many youths in the state from studying in such institutions, either for undergraduate or post-graduate programs, which has in turn continued to fester the corrupt tendencies, where people intentionally make things difficult for others in order to rip them off scarce resources.

Hon Onwudiwe went further to disclose that since the world is a global village, real-time online interface has become an acceptable way of institutional communication and interface, and Imo State cannot afford to be Operating in analogue format, in a digitalized society, creating encumbrances for people and stalling opportunities for students and graduates.

The motion was seconded by Hon Barrister Dominic Ezerioha and member representing Oru-west State Constituency.

The motion which was Co-sponsored by the Deputy Speaker ( Rt Honourable Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu), Hon Johnson Duru, Hon Philip Ejiogu, Hon Kanayo Onyenaechi, Hon Eddy Obinna and hon Chigozie Nwaneri received overwhelming support. While Hon Engr Johnson Duru (Ideato South State Constituency), thanked the Chief Sponsor Of The motion, he argued that everyone is directly affected because we have relatives who spent years in schools, but are unable to have their transcripts, statement of results and certificates, due to corruption in school administration. Hon Johnson Duru argued that since the world is a global village, the Online approach should be adopted to verify how internet friendly some of these institutions are.

Hon Barrister Emeka Nduka (Ehime Mbano State Constituency), in his Contribution, maintained that the future of the graduands would continue to be at stake, if urgent steps are not proactively taken to solve the problem. He urged the mover of the motion to go further to find out these Challenges had persisted.

Hon Dominic Ezerioha described the motion as not just an ordinary motion, due to so many anomalies Involved. He called for collective effort to find out why the problem of delay in the Issuance Of transcripts, statement of results and certificates have persisted.

In his contribution, Kanayo Onyenaechi (Owerri West State Constituency) supported the motion, but described it as a pathetic one, because after paying school fees, it becomes difficult to access result. He therefore called for a stop to the anomaly.

In the absence of any dissenting voice against the motion, the Rt Honourable Speaker, Barrister Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh, proceeded with the prayers of the motion.

* Be it resolved that the relevant school authorities of the tertiary institutions in Imo State will Investigate the causes of delay in processing and release of Statement of Result, Certificate And Transcript of students or graduands of the schools, with a view to addressing unwarranted delays in the process.

* Be it also resolved that the Imo State Ministry of Education will produce education Administrative policy to eradicate undue delay in the processing and release of Statement of Result, Certificate And Transcript in schools to ensure that our students and graduates are not subjected to unnecessary delay with its attendant consequences.

Subsequently, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Kennedy Ibeh, urged the Chief Sponsor of the motion, who doubles as the House Committee Chairman On Education, Hon Dr Uju Onwudiwe, to liaise with the Clerk of the House to transcript the resolution to the affected institutions in the state.

Also, the Imo State House Of Assembly has passed the motion compelling Owerri Capital Development Authority, OCDA, to enforce compliance with the State master plan to curb noise pollution from Illegally sited lounges, event centres etc.

Speaking on the issue, the Chief Sponsor of the motion and member representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency, Hon Chief Eddy Obinna, raised the alarm of how noise pollution has become a menace in the society, and the problems it poses within the human body system, and distortion of the master plan of OCDA, for the state.

According to Hon Eddy Obinna, The menace of noise pollution has continued unabated because of fraudulent activities of most business owners who convert residential houses to business premises.

The motion was seconded by Hon Dr Uju Onwudiwe, member representing Njaba State Constituency, and Co-sponsored by Hon Dominic Ezerioha, Hon Kanayo Onyenaechi, Hon Cyriacus Heclus Okoro, Hon Johnson Duru, Rt Honourable Chiji Collins, Hon Uju Onwudiwe, Hon Michael Crown Njoku, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri and Hon Emeka Nduka.

Speaking further, Eddy Obinna explained that noise pollution from Events Centres came about because some of its operators go for approval for residential house, but turn around to distort the approved plans to the extent of bringing out loud speakers and sound systems to disturb the neighborhood and serenity of the given environment, observing that most Event Centres, club houses, lounges and kiosks situated in residential and even commercial areas, discomfort people's activities through noise pollution.

On the problem of noise pollution causes on the human body system, Hon Chief Eddy Obinna exposed some of the health challenges it causes, which include, Psychological issues, Cognitive issues, Sleeping disorders, Distractions etc. He pointed out that the "Ministry Of Environment and OCDA are charged with the Responsibilities Of environmental protection and management for the well-being of the people. We have a State ruled by law, and we have a Governor who was a super Lawmaker, before governing The State.".

Hon Barrister Frank ugboma supported the motion. While thanking the Chief Sponsor for his wisdom and Initiative in coming up with the motion, he called on relevant agencies, like OCDA, to wake up and do the needful.

Rt Honourable Chiji Collins, member representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency, supported motion, but blamed implementing agencies for failing to Effectively curb the menace, due to corrupt activities of its field staff who are easily compromised by operators of these Illegally sited Event Centres and lounges.

Hon Uju Onwudiwe (Njaba State Constituency) commended the mover of the motion, but insisted that all government agencies saddled with the responsibilities of curbing the menace of noise pollution should Be invited, demanding that it is either its officials sits up or they resign. According to her, " Noise pollution has become a big menace. We need to sanitize our environment. Business environment should be business environment, while residential environment should be residential environment. You cannot jam the two together. Jamming the two together will bring discomfort to each other.

Hon Dominic Ezerioha commended the Chief Sponsor of the motion, and added that the motion was simply enforcing OCDA to do its statutory work , noting that the two Committees, Environment and Lands, together with OCDA Should work together to ensure compliance.

Hon Paschal Okolie, Orlu State Constituency, opposed the motion, arguing that OCDA has no business with noise pollution control, insisting it only regulates and controls building plans. Nevertheless, Hon Chief Eddy Obinna further explained that OCDA was brought into the picture because its officials issue approval for building, and that the agency has a monitoring team that go on Inspection to ensure their approval is observed or implemented. Therefore, according to him, OCDA has a duty to contain noise pollution.

Before The Rt Honourable Speaker, Barrister Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh, put the motion for adoption, he commended the Chief Sponsor of the motion, for his brilliance in defending the motion, as opposed, by giving cogent reason why OCDA should be involved in noise pollution control on Illegally sited lounges, event centres etc.

* Be it resolved by this Honourable House to urge the OCDA to review her records in line with the Master plan to effect compliance with lay out regulations within the capital city of Owerri............ This first prayer was adopted.

* Be it also resolved to urge this Honourable House to set up a Joint Committee of Ministry Of Environment and Lands to Investigate approvals and compliance levels to restore sanity in mapped out residential areas........... This second prayer was not adopted. The Nays had it.

* Be it further resolved that the said Committee on Environment and Lands who oversight OCDA look into the issues of non-compliance with Imo State Master plan with a view to coming up with lasting solution............ This third prayer was adopted.

On motion on Adjournment, Hon Dr Uju Onwudiwe on behalf of Her Excellency and Mother of the State, Barrister Chioma Hope Uzodinma, commended His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodinma, the Speaker and other Honourable members for being gender friendly, especially, in ensuring specific positions were given to women. According to her, " the happiness of a man starts from a woman. Therefore, we need to add more value. We need more roles and opportunities. The present House has two women legislators. Come 2023, we want to see, at least, 6 female Lawmaker in the next House".

Hon Philip Ejiogu, Owerri North State Constituency, also praised His Excellency, The Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma and the Rt Honourable Speaker, Barrister Kennedy Ibeh, for ensuring women are allowed to play more roles in the governance of the state.

The House Adjourned Sitting To Wednesday 09/03/2022.

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