Rivers factional Assembly shuts down Fubara’s expenditure
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port-Harcourt
Factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule has written to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminilayi Fubara directing that all expenses from the State Consolidated Account cease forthwith, pending the presentation and passage of of the 2024 appropriation bill by the Rivers State House of Assembly, which he insists is still under his watch.
This was contained in a strongly worded letter titled, “Rivers State Government Shutdown on Expenditure Pursuant to Section 122 of the 1999 Constitution (as Altered),” dated 15/7/2024 and addressed to His Excellency, Sir Siminilayi Fubara.
The factional Speaker equally copied the Deputy Governor,Prof Ngozi Odu, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, Head of Service,Dr George Nweke and State Accountant General.
Others include Head of Commissions, Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The Chairman Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Abuja, Accountant General of the Federation, Governor of the Central Bank, Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith and Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank were also copied.
According to the letter, Amaewhule alleged that the Governor has not laid the 2024 Appropriation Bill before the State House of Assembly in contravention to Section 122 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
He said the letter was consequent upon the Governor’s failure to comply with the resolution of the House,after the 7-day ultimatum handed down to him in that regard expired.
The letter reads in parts; “That in pursuant to Section 122 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) you were not permitted to authorise the withdrawal of monies from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State beginning from the 1st day of July, 2024 and the Rivers State House of Assembly is constrained to consequently declare a Government shutdown on expenditure until an Appropriation Bill for the 2024 fiscal year is presented and passed by the House.
“That in this regard and pursuant to Section 120(2,3,4) you ought to have should be requested to desist from further authorisation of withdrawal to Consolidated fund of the State and to direct all Rivers State Government Ministries, Commissions, Agencies, Departments and Extra- ministerial Departments to desist from spending taxpayers funds until the Rivers State Appropriation Bill,2024 is laid before the House,passed and assented to.
“That we should notify other relevant authorities and once again remind you of your Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution and Oath of Office as Governor of Rivers State,” the letter stated.
All attempts to reach the Commissioner for Information, Warisenibo Joseph Johnson for his reactions proved abortive,as calls put across to his cellphone were not answered, nor did he respond to the text messages sent to him till time of filing this report.
Recall that the Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly had after the Appeal Court judgement that nullified the ruling if the Rivers State High Court on the matter, citing jurisdiction violation, given Governor Fubara 7-day ultimatum to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill before it,which expired yesterday (Monday), hence the resolution (letter).
Gov Fubara was recently quoted to have said that his administration had since started preparing the 2025 budget, meaning that he has foreclosed the issue of 2024, which according to him was duly presented to the legally recognized Rivers State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, RT Hon Victor Oko—Jumbo and assented to.
