Rivers Assembly Frowns At Fubara’s Appointments

The Rivers State House of Assembly has expressed disapproval of the recent appointments approved by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, particularly those appointed on an acting basis.

The appointments include 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 the New Cities Development Authority.

The House expressed its displeasure during its 100th legislative sitting, when the majority leader, Hon. Major Jack, brought to the attention of the House a Government Special Announcement regarding these appointments.

Citing sections of relevant laws, members commented on the information and stated that the governor, in exercising his powers, has disregarded the laws.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, criticised the governor’s actions in appointing someone to act as the Administrator of the New Cities Development Authority, a body not recognized by any state legislation, calling it condemnable.

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Amaewhule stated that the appointment of an acting Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission and an acting Director-General of the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPE) were inconsistent with the provisions of the relevant Establishment laws of the Commission and the Bureau.

The Speaker questioned why Fubara would deliberately act in violation of extant laws and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, noting that such acts constitute misconduct.

The House subsequently voted in the affirmative and resolved to write to the governor, drawing 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 displeasure at these questionable appointments, viewing them as an aberration and a violation of extant laws.