Rivers Assembly screens, confirms five new commissioners

The Rivers State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed five additional candidates for appointment as Commissioners to the State Executive Council.

The candidates confirmed by the Assembly are Hon. Samuel Eyiba Ilamu Arugu (Abua/Odual), Dr. Roland Obed-Whyte (Degema), Hon. Samuel Anya (Abia State), and Sir Austin Emeka Nnadozie (Etche).

With these additions, the total number of commissioners in Gov. Fubara’s cabinet will rise to 23.

Their confirmation followed a letter from the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, requesting the screening and confirmation of these nominees as members of the State Executive Council.

The Speaker presented the Governor’s request, stating, “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.”

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Shortly after reading the letter, the five commissioner-nominees were ushered into the hallowed chambers of the House, where they answered questions from lawmakers on various state policy issues before being escorted out of the Assembly floor by Sergeant-at-Arms David Wariboko.

The confirmation of the commissioners-designate followed a voice vote by 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 the possible swearing-in of the nominees as members of the State Executive Council.

The House then resumed plenary and opened debate on the Rivers State Vocational and Technical Training Bill 2024, which was moved to second reading.

The bill was eventually committed to the Ad-Hoc Committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker Hon. Adolphus Orubienimigha, who represents Opobo/Nkoro State Constituency.

The Ad-Hoc Committee was given two weeks to conduct a public hearing, compile its report, and submit it to the House.

The Leader of the House, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, who represents Ahoada West State Constituency, requested additional time for his Ad-Hoc Committee on the Rivers State Transport Company Reform Bill 2024 to complete the compilation of the public hearing proceedings.

His request was granted, and Rt. Hon. Oko-Jumbo extended the deadline by two weeks to allow the committee to prepare its report and submit it to the House.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE