A bill proposing the creation of a new state in the South East region of Nigeria passes the first reading during the House of Representatives‘ session on Tuesday.
A proposal was introduced by the lawmakers for the establishment of Etiti State in the South-East region for the initial review
The bill, introduced by five House members including Amobi Ogah, Miriam Onuoha, Kama Nkemkama, Chinwe Nnabuife, and Anayo Onwuegbu, aims at forming a new state from the current Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.
When Etiti State is established, it will consist of 11 local government areas selected from the five surrounding states, with the capital city designated to be situated in Lokpanta.
The proposed bill aims to make changes to three sections of the 1999 constitution. These changes involve replacing the word 36 with 37 to include the new state and adding the word Etiti right after Enugu in the list of states in the amended 1999 Constitution.
The establishment of the state would have an impact on several local governments, including Isuikwuato and Umu-Nneochi in Abia, Orumba North and Orumba South in Anambra, Ivo and Ohaozara in Ebonyi, Aninri, Awgu, and Oji River in Enugu, as well as Okigwe and Onuimo in Imo.
