Anambra Assembly has suspended the newly introduced waste collection rates by the State Waste Management Agency (ASWAMA).
The House also on Tuesday invited Engr. Mike Ozoemena, Managing Director of the agency to appear before it in the next adjourned date over illegal rates.
This Follows a motion of urgent importance, moved by Hon. Nonso Okafor, the member representing Nnewi North state constituency.
Okafor, in a motion, informed the House that ASWAMA had through its MD, imposed illegal rates for collection of waste across the state.
Supporting his motion, Hon. Okafor cited various sections of the ASWAMA law passed in the 6th Assembly, stipulating amounts to be paid by various households and businesses in the state, which it turned out the MD of ASWAMA had doubled arbitrarily in fragrant violation of the extant law.
For instance, the law had provided for payment of N12,000 per year, for residents living in a duplex.
The illegal new rate proclaimed by the ASWAMA MD reviewed it upwards to N24,000.
In the originating motion, Hon. Okafor wondered where the MD of ASWAMA got the power to review the rates stipulated by the law.
The motion which gained absolute support of the House, was seconded by Hon. Lawrence Ezeudu, representing Dunukofia Constituency.
In his contribution, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu said that the action of ASWAMA MD is an embarrassment to the governor.
“This kind of thing is an embarrassment to the governor. The primary thing an appointee of government should do is to go and check the relevant law of his Agency”.
Hon. Pete Ibida representing Njikoka II, condemned the illegality of the MD stressing that it is a slap on the legislature.
Other contributors to the motion are Hon. Chidi Udemmadu, Hon. Emeka Aforka and Hon. Noble Igwe, who variously condemned the action of the MD and stressed that if possible, more serious punishment should be served on him for such illegality.
The House then resolved that the new ASWAMA rate be suspended and that the MD of the Agency, appear before it in the next sitting day, to provide explanations.
Meanwhile, the House admitted two petitions; one from fabric traders association in Onitsha, written against the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.
They prayed to be allowed to move into their new market unconditionally.
They also asked for the intervention of the House in the caretaker imposed on the market, by the Ministry.
The second petition is about alleged wrongful demotion of Obi Okonkwo from Director to Deputy Director in the Ministry of Housing.
The petitioner prayed the House to puncture the decision of the State Civil Service Commission and restore him to his position.
Both petitions were duly referred to the appropriate committee.
