Bill Proposing Creation of New State in South-East Region Passes First Reading
Abuja, Nigeria — In a significant move towards restructuring the administrative landscape of the South-East region, a bill proposing the creation of Etiti State has successfully passed its first reading in the House of Representatives. The session, held on Tuesday, marked the initial review of the proposal aimed at establishing a new state from portions of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.
The bill was introduced by five House members: Amobi Ogah, Miriam Onuoha, Kama Nkemkama, Chinwe Nnabuife, and Anayo Onwuegbu. If approved, Etiti State will consist of 11 local government areas drawn from the surrounding five states, with Lokpanta designated as the state capital.
The proposed bill seeks to amend three sections of the 1999 Constitution. These amendments include changing the word “36” to “37” to account for the new state and inserting “Etiti” immediately after “Enugu” in the list of states in the Constitution.
The local government areas that will form Etiti State include:
- Abia State: Isuikwuato and Umu-Nneochi
- Anambra State: Orumba North and Orumba South
- Ebonyi State: Ivo and Ohaozara
- Enugu State: Aninri, Awgu, and Oji River
- Imo State: Okigwe and Onuimo
The creation of Etiti State is seen as a strategic move to enhance administrative efficiency and bring government closer to the people in the affected regions. The next stages of the legislative process will involve further readings and debates, which will determine the bill’s future.
Proponents of the bill argue that the establishment of Etiti State will promote equitable development and address longstanding administrative challenges in the South-East region. Critics, however, caution that the creation of a new state must be carefully considered to ensure it aligns with the broader goals of national unity and economic stability.
The passage of the bill through its first reading is a significant milestone in the legislative process, reflecting the growing momentum behind efforts to reconfigure Nigeria’s state structure for better governance and regional representation.
