…As Assembly set to probe emergency rule expenditure

By The9JaTREND

The Rivers State House of Assembly has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to immediately forward the list of Commissioners nominee to it for screening and confirmation.

Also, the House, during its first plenary after the six-month emergency rule, asked the Governor to immediately begin the process of putting together an Appropriation Law for the remaining part of the year.

These were part of the resolutions of the House during Thursday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.

Also at Thursday’s plenary, lawmakers demanded a review of how funds were spent on projects and programmes during the six-month emergency period.

The motion, sponsored by nine members including House Leader Hon. Major Jack, Deputy Leader Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, and seven others, was unanimously adopted by all 26 members present.

Reading the motion, Jack noted that the emergency rule officially lapsed at midnight on Thursday, restoring full democratic structures in the state. He recalled that one of the gains of the emergency period was the successful conduct of the August 30 local government elections that produced 23 chairmen and councillors.

He, however, stressed the need for the Assembly to work with Governor Siminialayi Fubara on a new financial plan that reflects the aspirations of Rivers people, since the legislature neither saw nor contributed to the budget implemented under the emergency rule.

Jack further noted that several contracts were awarded and funds spent from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Account by the outgone Administrator, making it necessary to establish a clear picture of what transpired.