The member representing Ahiazu/Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency, Imo State, Chinedu Martins, on Monday, gave reasons for the five bills he sponsored which are now awaiting a second reading.
The Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker in an interview with journalists on Monday said the proposed legislations were conceived to tackle pressing national and catalyse Nigeria’s journey toward sustainable development.
These legislative interventions, which recently passed the first reading on the House floor, traverse pivotal sectors, including creative enterprise, technical education, emergency response, institutional accountability, and housing finance.
According to Martins, the bill will “Together, herald a fresh vision for a more efficient, equitable, and aspirational Nigerian state.”
“They include the National Institute for Film Production and Entertainment Industry Village (Establishment) Bill, 2025; the Federal Institute of Technical Education and Skills Acquisition Mbaise (Establishment) Bill 2025; the National Emergency Call Centre and Short Code (Establishment) Bill 2025; the National Independent Project Monitoring and Evaluation Agency (Establishment) Bill 2025; and the Real Estate Development Bank Bill 2025.”
Advancing reasons for the first bill, Martins stated that the proposed legislation seeks to establish a state-of-the-art institute tailored to Nigeria’s booming film and entertainment sector.
He said, “It is designed to be a crucible of creativity, and it will elevate technical expertise, nurture indigenous talent, and position Nigeria as a global powerhouse for storytelling and content production.
“The institute will serve as a springboard for emerging voices in music and film, particularly from the South-East, which accounts for over 40 per cent of Nigeria’s movie artists, many of whom hail from Imo State.
“It is a clarion call to institutionalise what has long been a cultural goldmine, enabling young creatives to refine their craft and thrive in a globally competitive industry.”
In his words, the Federal Institute of Technical Education and Skills Acquisition aims at bridging the widening skills gap and stemming the tide of youth unemployment.
“The institution will offer cutting-edge vocational training, equipping young Nigerians with hands-on skills and entrepreneurial acumen tailored to the demands of the modern economy.
“It is no secret that Ahiara Technical College, the only technical institution in Mbaise, has long been in a state of disrepair.
“As a state-owned entity, its impact has dwindled over time. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has recently embarked on revitalising its network of technical colleges nationwide. Yet, Imo State is glaringly absent from that list.
“This Bill corrects that omission, anchoring federal presence in technical education within Mbaise,” he added.
On the national emergency call centre and short code bill, the lawmaker noted that the proposed law is seeking to establish a unified national emergency communication system anchored on a single, easily memorable short code to streamline public response to crises.
“At the heart of this proposal is the creation of a national switchboard akin to those in developed countries, systems that have proven critical in saving lives.
“Nigeria must adopt its own standardised emergency code capable of linking citizens to life-saving support in cases of robbery, medical distress, fire outbreaks, or natural disasters.
“Much like 911 in the United States, our nation must prioritise a seamless and immediate emergency response infrastructure,” he added.
With the National Independent Project Monitoring and Evaluation Agency (Establishment) Bill, the lawmaker seeks to institutionalise an autonomous agency tasked with objectively monitoring and evaluating public projects across Nigeria.
By design, it will elevate transparency, fortify accountability, and ensure judicious utilisation of public resources.
He said, “This initiative addresses the troubling trend of abandoned or substandard government projects.
“Today, Ministries, Departments and Agencies often monitor and evaluate the same projects they originate, inevitably breeding conflicts of interest and, at times, collusion.
“As the adage goes, one cannot be a judge in his own case. By creating an independent agency to serve as an impartial arbiter, this bill aims to safeguard project execution from conception to completion, ensuring taxpayers get full value for every naira spent.”
He further noted that the Real Estate Development Bank Bill 2025 aims to mitigate Nigeria’s deepening housing crisis.
In his words,”It proposes the establishment of a specialised financial institution, the Real Estate Development Bank, dedicated solely to funding and promoting housing and real estate projects nationwide.
“Unlike existing institutions that often limit their partnerships to state governments and focus on low-cost housing, this bank will directly engage core private-sector investors.
“With single-digit interest financing, it will stimulate the sector, attract large-scale investment, and facilitate widespread homeownership.”
“By serving as a reliable catalyst for affordable housing, the bank will help close Nigeria’s housing deficit and unleash new growth across the construction and real estate industries,” he added.
The five bills are expected to return to the floor for debate ahead of a public hearing to garner public input in the weeks ahead.
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