….as Bill on Financial Autonomy Scales Second reading.
The Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday elected two new officers.
They are Major Jack (PDP, Akuku Toru 1) and Frankline Nwabochi (PDP, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni 1) who emerged as Majority Leader and Chief Whip respectively.
Their emergence followed an election during plenary at the Assembly chamber which had the participation of 27 members
Speaking afterwards, Speaker Martins Amaewhule (PDP, Obio/Akpor 1) congratulated the officers and charged them to remain committed to their new duties.
Also, the “Financial Autonomy Bill, 2023” scaled a second reading in the house
Amaewhule ,who spoke on the importance of the bill stated that when passed, the governor would assent to it.
He, however, alleged that Governor Siminialayi Fubara had withheld the funds meant for the management of the Assembly for November.
The speaker assured of the readiness of the house to continue its constitutional functions, irrespective of negative distractions.
The bill has also been referred to the House Committee on Public Accounts for hearings and other legislative scrutiny.
Presently,the state House of Assembly is embroiled in a crisis leading to the formation of two factions.
Trouble started when 27 lawmakers impeached Edison Ehie, the Majority leader in October.
Ehie, with three others loyal to Governor Siminilayi Fubara formed a parallel Assembly and has been operating with that number since.
Meanwhile , the two factions are sitting unhindered despite a court ruling ordering suspension of sitting and maintaining Status quo .
