A faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly has confirmed five commissioners-designate as members of the State Executive Council.
Those cleared are Samuel Eyiba from Ahoada, Ilamu Arugu (Abua/Odual); Dr Roland Obed-Whyte (Degema); Samuel Anya (Abia State); and Austin Emeka Nnadozie (Etche), who appeared before it for screening on Tuesday.
Their confirmation was sequel to the letter sent by the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to the factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, to determine their suitability as members of the State Executive Council.
The Speaker read the letter of the governor during plenary held at the auditorium used for legislative businesses in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Tuesday.
The governor’s request read, “Request for the screening and confirmation of nominees for admission: 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 five commissioner-nominees were ushered into the chambers of the House, where they answered questions from lawmakers on various issues of state policy before being led out of the floor of the Assembly by the Sergeant-at-Arms, David Wariboko.
With the confirmation of the commissioners-designate, following a voice vote of members, after a heated debate, the Speaker, Oko-Jumbo, directed the clerk to convey the resolution of the House to the state governor, for their possible swearing-in as members of the State Executive Council.
The House later reverted to the business of plenary, where they opened debate on the Rivers State Vocational and Technical Training Bill 2024 to move it through second reading.
Eventually, the bill was committed to the Ad-Hoc Committee with the member representing Opobo/Nkoro State Constituency and Deputy Speaker, Adolphus Orubienimigha, as its chairman.
The Ad-Hoc Committee was given two weeks to conduct a public hearing, compile its reports, and submit them to the House.
The Leader of the House, Sokari Sokari, who is the member representing Ahoada West State Constituency, prayed the House for more time for his Ad-Hoc Committee on the Rivers State Transport Company Reform Bill, 2024 to conclude the compilation of the rich proceedings of the public hearing.
His prayer was granted after Oko-Jumbo gave a two-week extension to enable the committee to prepare its report and ensure it was submitted to the House.
