The Rivers State House of Assembly, in its 90th legislative sitting on Tuesday, gave the First Reading to two crucial bills—The Traditional Rulers Law (Amendment) Bill and the Advertisement and Use of State-Owned Property Prohibition (Repeal) Bill. These bills, when passed, are set to bring about significant changes in line with current realities.
The Traditional Rulers Law (Amendment) Bill, sponsored by the Majority Leader and Member representing Akuku Toru Constituency I, Hon. Major Jack, seeks to amend specific sections of the existing Traditional Rulers Law (No. 4 of 2015). It aims to align the law with contemporary needs.
Simultaneously, the House introduced the Advertisement and Use of State-Owned Property Prohibition (Repeal) Bill, presented by Hon. Tonye Smart Adoki, Member representing Port Harcourt Constituency II. The bill aims to repeal the existing Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State-owned Property (Prohibition) Law (No. 7 of 2022).
During the session, Speaker Rt. Hon. Chike Martin Amaewhule invoked sections of the 1999 Constitution that empower the State House of Assembly to receive the audited account of the State. He directed the House Committee on Public Accounts to investigate the delay in the submission of the 2022 audited account by the State Auditor-General.
The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Hon. Major Jack, requested additional time for further inquiry and consultation. The committee was granted three weeks to submit its report.
In a unanimous decision, the House disclosed it is yet to receive the State’s Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the 2024 Appropriation Bill. In response, the House resolved to write to Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara, notifying him of the delay and urging prompt submission in adherence to the 1999 Constitution as altered.
