The Abia State House of Assembly has passed the Abia State University (Amendment No. 3) Bill, 2026, a legislation aimed at restructuring the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, into a single-campus institution.
The legislation was passed on Tuesday after scaling its third reading during plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa. Sponsored by the Majority Leader, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu (Arochukwu), the bill seeks to amend Section 3 of Law No. 5 of 1995, which established the state-owned university.
According to the lawmakers, the amendment will pave the way for ABSU to operate a single-campus system in Abia State, among other reforms aimed at strengthening the institution’s administration.
Announcing the passage of the bill, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa said the law would come into force upon receiving the assent of Governor Alex Otti.
“The law, when assented to by the Governor, shall come into force this day, July 7, 2026,” the Speaker said.
He commended members of the House for their contributions during deliberations and congratulated them on the successful passage of the bill.
The Speaker also disclosed that lawmakers held an executive session with the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Umuikaa Police Station following the alleged brutal killing of an Abia indigene, Mr. Abraham Reuben, by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
The House also considered two Matters of Urgent Public Importance on the worsening erosion threatening communities in Ikwuano and Bende Local Government Areas.
Presenting the first motion, the member representing Ikwuano State Constituency, Hon. Boniface Isienyi, warned that the devastating erosion ravaging Oboro could worsen as the rainy season progresses if urgent intervention is not provided.
“If left unchecked, the erosion menace will cause more havoc, especially during this rainy season,” Isienyi said.
He urged the House to mandate the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) and the Abia State Ministry of Environment to urgently intervene.
Also raising a matter of urgent public importance, the member representing Bende South, Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi, lamented the continued deterioration of the erosion site at Amamba, Uzuakoli, recalling that NEWMAP had inspected the area during the Seventh Assembly without any follow-up intervention.
He said the erosion had already swallowed several buildings and was now threatening the entire Umueze Amamba Community.
“The erosion has swallowed several buildings and is now threatening the entire Umueze Amamba Community. There is an urgent need for palliative work while the state government collaborates with relevant federal agencies to find a lasting solution,” Ndubuisi said.
Following deliberations, the House mandated its Committee on Environment to investigate the affected erosion sites and report back.
Lawmakers also resolved to invite the Project Coordinator of NEWMAP for an interface after the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie, disclosed that the Abia State Government had paid the agency’s counterpart funds for erosion control projects.
Meanwhile, H.A.B. 8, the Abia State Intelligence Gathering and Security Enhancement Programme (ABSIGSEP) Bill, 2026, sponsored by Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe (Bende North), scaled first reading.
The House also received the report of its Joint Committees on Environment and Works on the deplorable erosion sites at Obunta (Obukwu) and other autonomous communities in Ikwuano State Constituency.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Kalu Mba Nwoke (Ohafia South), urged further legislative action, after which it was committed to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
However, the House deferred consideration of the Abia Market Safety and Protection Bill, the Abia State Real Estate Landlords and Tenancy Bill, the Abia State of Nigeria Poverty Alleviation Trust Bill, and the Abia State Sports Development Fund Bill to a future legislative date.
(The Whistler)
