Rivers State House of Assembly reconvened on Thursday with a vow to probe the budget and expenditures of the former sole administrator of the State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd).
After six months of suspension following a state of emergency on the State by President Bola Tinubu, the Rivers State House of Assembly emphasised the need to ascertain the budget received and spent by the outgone Military Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd).
The legislature reconvened after the expiration of the six-month emergency rule slammed on the executive and legislature by the President.
The legislature, which said the resolution was important because the 10th Assembly did not make any input into the budget prepared by the National Assembly, also resolved to outline the legislative agenda for the remaining two years, promising to work with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and abide by the outcome of the peace accord brokered by President Tinubu.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, said these in the resolution taken after a voice vote by about 26 members, excluding the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, who was absent.
It was also resolved to call on the governor to commence the process of coming up with an Appropriation Bill for the remaining part of the year to address current realities.
Other resolutions include commending Tinubu for restoring democratic institutions in Rivers State and demanding that Fubara should forward the names of Commissioner-nominees for consideration.
“We never sighted the budget by the National Assembly but only read it on the pages of Newspapers. We don’t know what it contained. No member of the House is against the motions; there is need to ascertain what came into Rivers State and expenditure by the Administrator,” the Speaker said.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the motion to set the legislative agenda for the remaining part of the third session of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly was sponsored by nine members of the House but read by the House leader, Hon. Major Jack.
The motion read, “Pursuant to the foregoing, we wish to respectfully pray this august House to go resolve as follows:
“Commend the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for restoring democratic institutions in the state;
“Declare that the House would continue to abide by all the terms or the peace parley and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the interest of peace and good governance of Rivers State;
“Call on the Executive Governor of Rivers State-Sir Siminalayı Fubara to forward the list of his nominees for appointment as commissioners into the State Executive Council in line with Constitution and terms or the peace раrlеу;
“Call on the Governor to commence the process or coming up with an Appropriation Law for the remaining part of the year to address current realities;
“Ascertain what transpired in the last six months with regards to award or contracts and expenditures from the consolidated revenue fund on the state.
“Immediately outline the legislative agenda ror the remaining part or the third session of the 10th Assembly to reflect current realities;
“Make any other orders this House may deem necessary in the circumstance.”
The Speaker commended the sponsors of the motion, saying the emergency rule prevented ths legislative business of the House, adding that, “But we thank God that we’re back.
“There’s need to abide by the terms of the peace parley. I listened to you all and no member is against the prayers especially on commendation for the President, forwarding of commissioners nominees by the Governor and review of what transpired in the last six months and what happened to the budget.”
“If the State needs to move forward, the issue of budget and others should be taken into consideration. The Governor should liaise with us regarding the prayers,” Amaewhule stated.
