The Rivers State House of Assembly has reconvened following the expiration of the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu in the state.
Lawmakers, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, resumed plenary on Thursday, September 18, with a fresh agenda to restore normal governance after months of political tension.
Lawmakers Commend Tinubu, Demand Commissioner List
In a motion sponsored by nine members, including House Leader Major Jack, Linda Somiari-Stewart, and Sylvanus Nwankwo, the assembly commended President Tinubu for restoring democratic institutions.
The House also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to forward the names of his commissioner nominees to fill vacant positions in the State Executive Council. The lawmakers further asked the governor to immediately prepare a supplementary budget to reflect the state’s current realities.
Local government elections, conducted under the emergency rule on August 30, produced 23 new chairmen and councillors, which the House described as one of the key gains of the intervention.
Probing Six Months of State Spending
The assembly also resolved to investigate financial activities carried out during the six months of emergency rule, particularly contract awards and withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
The legislators said the probe is necessary to give Rivers people a clear picture of how public funds were managed under the state’s caretaker administration.
Meanwhile, Speaker Amaewhule noted that the Assembly will roll out a new legislative agenda for the remaining part of its third session, focusing on peace, good governance, and accountability.
