Following the ongoing demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led lawmakers have relocated the sitting venue of the House to the Legislators’ Quarters in Port Harcourt.
The lawmakers, via a motion on Thursday, adopted and converted the auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters as its hallowed Chamber.
This is as the House condemned in an unequivocal terms what it described as heartless and brazen demolition of the House of Assembly complex by Governor Siminialayi Fubara, without the approval and knowledge of the House.
The House, in a motion sponsored by 26 Members and moved by Hon. Ofiks Kabang, Member, representing Andoni Constituency in the House, drew the attention of the federal government of Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police and the International community, to the constant attack by Fubara on the gegislature of Rivers State.
During the 88th legislative sitting of the House, which was held on Thursday, the lawmakers, who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), passed two bills into law.
The bills were the the Rivers State House of Assembly Funds Management (Financial Autonomy)Bill, 2023 and the Rivers State Local Government Law, No. 5 of 2018 (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Commenting on the House of Assembly Funds Management bill, the Speaker, Amaewhule,
emphasized the importance of the passage of the bill, noting that it will provide for the management of funds accruing to the House of Assembly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state; adding that the law will ensure accountability and efficient utilisation of funds.
He stated that the House decided to delete some sections of the State Local Government Law, No. 5 of 2018 and amended some other sections because those sections were anachronistic and an anathema to democratic.
The Speaker stated that with the passage of the amendment Bill, elected local government council chairmen and councilors would be liberated from arbitrary removals and suspensions.
