In furtherance of one of its tripod functions, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Friday, at its 136th Legislative Sitting, passed three Bills, which will be forwarded to His Excellency, the Governor for assent.
Debating on the Reports of the various Committees for the three Bills, which were the Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, 2025, a Bill that seeks to grant the House powers, privileges and immunity to perform its Legislative duties; the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Bill, 2025, which seeks to repeal the existing State Electoral Law of 2018, and to re- enact a new one to provide for the establishment, Composition and functions of the Commission in line with the Electoral Act of 2022 and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and the Rivers State Local Government Bill, 2025, which seeks to repeal the State’s Local Government Laws of 2018, 2023 and 2024, and to re- enact a new Local Government Law that will be in sync with contemporary Laws in the administration of the Local Government Councils, Members maintained that the Bills when passed, the State will be well placed in the comity of States in those areas covered by the Bills.
Remarking on the Reports, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, stated that what the House is simply doing is the domestication of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act of 2017 that gave certain powers and privileges to the Legislature in the performance of its function.
Rt. Hon. Amaewhule averred that the RSIEC Bill is very crucial, given the need to be in tandem with the Electoral Act and the Constitution. Similarly, the Speaker harped on the importance of making the Local Government Law reflect certain constitutional provisions, adding that the Rivers State House of Assembly will continue to perform its Legislative duties in the best interest of the people.
When the Speaker put the question, Members unanimously voted in the affirmative for each of the three Bills, and passed them for onward transmission to the Governor for assent for the benefit of the State
Commending Members for their doggedness and resilience, Rt. Hon. Amaewhule said, “for sacrificing your recess in the interest of the people, history will be kind to you”.He further extolled them for going the extra mile in working for the State and the people. The House thereafter adjourned sine die.
Signed
Martins Wachukwu
Special Assistant On Media To The Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly
Friday, 14 March, 2025.
