In a passionate appeal on the floor of the Abia State House of Assembly (ABHA), the lawmaker representing Obingwa-West State Constituency, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr has called for the swift passage of the Corporate Social Responsibility Agency Bill, H.A.B. 24 of 2025.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish an agency dedicated to enforcing corporate accountability to host communities across the state.
The bill, presented during a recent plenary session in Umuahia, comes at a time of rising tension between local communities and corporate entities. Years of neglect, environmental degradation, and unfulfilled promises by companies operating in resource-rich areas have led to protests, destruction of property, and even loss of lives.
Erondu Jnr said: “The government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of providing basic social amenities,
“It is unjust for corporations to extract wealth from our communities without making tangible investments in the wellbeing of the people.”
The proposed agency, he maintained, would be empowered to ensure that companies operating within Abia State fulfill their corporate social responsibilities by providing essential infrastructure such as potable water, electricity, roads, and support for education in their host communities.
According to the former Chairman, Obingwa Local Government Council, the absence of a formal mechanism to enforce CSR has allowed many corporations to operate unchecked, often to the detriment of their host communities.
“This bill is about equity, justice, and responsibility. It will foster trust between companies and communities, reduce agitation, and encourage residents to cooperate, even in the face of operational hazards.”
Highlighting the human cost of corporate neglect, Erondu Jnr underscored the urgency of legislative intervention.
He cited examples of community unrest and its devastating impact on lives and property, arguing that the creation of a regulatory agency is critical to preventing further crises and promoting sustainable development.
The plenary session ended with overwhelming support from members of the House, with many lawmakers voicing their approval of the bill’s intent and scope. The bill successfully scaled through its second reading, raising hopes for its accelerated passage into law.
If enacted, the CSR Agency will be the first of its kind in Abia State, setting a powerful precedent for strengthening corporate-community relations and ensuring that development is inclusive and people-centered.
