Imo Assembly amends, passes Bill on Pilgrims Board

By CHINYERE Nnaemeka

The Imo State House of Assembly has passed the Bill for A Law to amend the Imo State Pilgrims Welfare Board Law No. 13 of 1982.

The bill which centered on altering some sections of the Law to suit the current trends, was passed after it went through the Committee of the Whole House during the House plenary on Wednesday.

It was sponsored by the Majority Leader of the House and Owerri West Representative, Rt. Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi.

Speaking on the bill briefly, Onyemaechi stated that amendment of the law which had not been done before, would ensure that the Imo State Pilgrims Welfare Board performs its functions and responsibilities diligently to the overall benefit of the State and the people.

He continued, “The amendment tends to ensure that the Board function effectively and operate smoothly.

“It also meant to strengthen the Board so that it will take care of the Christians and Muslims pilgrimage, ‘Onyenmaechi stated’.

Some sections of the amendment Bill further provided that the Imo State Pilgrims Welfare Board shall consist of a Chairman and Six other members to be appointed by the Governor.

The members of the Board shall be persons with proven moral integrity who have interest in the welfare of Pilgrims.

The Governor shall appoint a Secretary to the Board and that the word ‘ Military Governor ‘ wherever it appeared in the Law should be deleted and replaced with ‘ Governor ‘, among other provisions.

Contributing to the bill, the Member Representing Oguta State Constituency, Hon. Gilbert Nwosu reiterated that the amendment would go a long way in strengthening the activities of the Board.

Adding his voice, the Ideato North lawmaker, Hon. Okechukwu Udeze opined that the Bill would ensure transparency and accountability on the part of the Pilgrims Board.