29th January, 2024
….Resolves to write Fubara over alleged breach of extant laws
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The Rivers House of Assembly on Monday accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of deliberate violation of Nigeria’s constitution and engaging in misconduct over some of his recent appointments.
This was after the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Major Jack called the attention of the lawmakers to the announcement of the appointments.
Citing sections of relevant laws, the lawmakers, in the discussion that followed pointed out that the Governor in the exercise of his powers to make appointments has relegated the laws guiding such appointments to the background.
Specifically, the lawmakers frowned at the appointment of Mr Goodlife Ben as Acting Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Mrs Ine Briggs as Acting Director- General of the Bureau for Public Procurement, and Mr Tonte Davies as Acting Administrator of New Cities Development Authority.
Martin Wachukwu, Special Adviser, Media to Martin Amaewhule, the Speaker to Rivers House of Assembly in a statement quoted the Speaker as saying that appointment of an Administrator of New Cities Development Authority, a body not known to any legislation in the State by Fubara is condemnable.
Amaewhule further averred that the appointment of an acting Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, and an Acting Director-General of the Bureau for Public Procurement are acts inconsistent with the provisions of the relevant Establishment laws of the Commission and the Bureau.
The Speaker wondered why Governor Fubara would deliberately act in violation of extant laws and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered, knowing that such acts constitute misconduct.
When the Speaker put the question, the House voted in the affirmative and resolved to write to Governor Fubara to draw his attention to Section 44(3) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 and Section 5(1) of the Rivers State Public Procurement Law No. 4 of 2008.
The House expressed its displeasure in those questionable appointments, which it viewed as an aberration and a violation of extant laws.
ENDS
