Rivers Assembly resumes plenary after six-month suspension, tells Fubara to submit names of political nominees

The Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on midnight Wednesday.

President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, asking the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly to resume duties on September 18.

The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.

The Assembly called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to immediately forward the list of Commissioner-nominees to it for screening and confirmation.

Also, the House asked the Governor to immediately begin the process of putting together an Appropriation bill for the remaining part of the year.

The lawmakers also demanded a review of how funds were spent on projects and programmes during the six-month emergency period.

The motion was sponsored by nine members including House Leader Hon. Major Jack, Deputy Leader Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, and seven others. It was unanimously adopted by all 26 members present.

Speaker Amaewhule said the Assembly would formally write the governor to request the names of commissioner nominees and a fresh budget proposal.