The Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led group of lawmakers, following the ongoing reconstruction of the burnt Rivers State House of Assembly complex, has relocated their sessions to the Legislators’ Quarters in Port Harcourt.
This move comes shortly after their seats were declared vacant by Speaker Edison Ehie, subsequent to their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Through a resolution on Thursday, the lawmakers designated and repurposed the auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters as their new legislative Chamber.
They strongly condemned Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s alleged heartless and audacious demolition of the House of Assembly complex without the House’s consent or authorization.
In a motion backed by 26 members and proposed by Hon. Ofiks Kabang, Representative of Andoni state constituency, they brought attention to the federal government of Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police, and the international community, highlighting Governor Fubara’s reported recurrent attacks on the Rivers State legislature.
During their ’88th legislative sitting’ held on Thursday, the embattled lawmakers, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), passed two bills into law: 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.
Addressing the House of Assembly Funds Management bill, Amaewhule emphasized its significance, stressing that it would regulate the administration of funds allocated to the House of Assembly from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund.
He noted that the law aims to ensure transparency and effective fund utilization.
He further explained that the House revised sections of the State Local Government Law, No. 5 of 2018, deeming them outdated and contradictory to democratic principles.
According to the Speaker, the amended Bill guarantees elected local government council chairmen and councillors protection against arbitrary removal and suspension from their positions.
