Rivers Assembly confirms five commissioner-nominees
…Commits vocational, technical training Bill 2024 to committee stage
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed Hon Samuel Eyiba from Ahoada West Local Government Area of the State and four other commissioner-nominees who appeared before it for screening.
The four others are: Ilamu Arugu (Abua/Odual), Dr Roland Obed-Whyte (Degema),Hon Samuel Anya (Abia State), and Sir Austin Emeka Nnadozie (Etche) Local Government Area.
Their confirmation was sequel to the letter sent by the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, to determine their suitability as members of the State Executive Council.
The Speaker on Tuesday read the letter of the Governor during plenary of the 3-member State Assembly.
The Governor’s request read in parts: “Request for the screening and confirmation of nominees for commissioners: Pursuant to Section 192 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it is my pleasure to forward the underlisted nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as commissioners and members of the Rivers State Executive Council.”
Shortly after reading the letter, the 5- commissioner nominees were ushered into the Hallowed Chambers of the House and were grilled by the lawmakers present.
With the confirmation of the commissioners-designate, following a voice vote of members, after a heated debate, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, directed the Clerk to convey the resolution of the House to the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for possible swearing in as members of the State Executive Council.
The House later reverted to the business of the day, where they opened debate on the Rivers State Vocational and Technical Training Bill 2024, which scaled through second reading.
The bill was committed to Committee stage with the member representing Opobo/Nkoro State Constituency and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Adolphus Orubienimigha, as its chairman.
The Committee was given two weeks to conduct a public hearing and submit its report to the House.
The Leader of the House, Hon Sokari Goodboy Sokari, who is the member representing Ahoada West State Constituency, prayed the House for more time for his Committee on the Rivers State Transport Company Reform Bill, 2024 to conclude its report before submitting the same to the House.
His prayer was granted by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oko-Jumbo who graciously added two more weeks, to enable the Committee prepare its report and submit to the House.
