Rivers Assembly Crisis Deepens As Factions Hold Parallel Public Hearings

Rivers State stakeholders and residents are reeling in confusion as rival factions of the State House of Assembly held separate public hearings on different bills.

In a turn of events, the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction held a public hearing on the Rivers Emergency Management Agency Bill 2024 on Tuesday, August 20, while the Martin Amaewhule-led faction followed suit with a public hearing on the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill, 2024, on Wednesday, August 21.

The Electricity Market Bill seeks to repeal the existing Rivers State Electricity and Gas Board Law and establish a new framework for electricity supply, generation, transmission, and distribution within the state.

The parallel public hearings have further highlighted the deepening crisis within the Rivers State House of Assembly, leaving stakeholders and residents wondering which faction is legitimate.

For the Oko Jumbo faction, Deputy Speaker, Timothy Orubienimigha said their Assembly is set to create robust laws that will guide the state.

Speaking at a public hearing, Orubienimigha emphasized the importance of the bill, which he said is aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework for effective emergency management and mitigation in the state.

He assured participants that their input would be considered, saying, “Your contributions are crucial fcçg o in shaping this bill.”

Stakeholders at the hearing commended the Assembly for the initiative, noting that the bill is timely, especially with the increasing severity of rainfall and associated emergencies.

The bill seeks to create a robust system for emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, minimizing the impact of disasters on communities.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Amaewhule, held a public hearing on Wednesday on the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill, 2024.

The bill seeks to repeal the existing Rivers State Electricity and Gas Board Law and establish a new framework for electricity supply, generation, transmission, and distribution within the state.

Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Hon. Franklin Nwabochi, explained that electric power was previously the exclusive domain of the federal government but is now a concurrent responsibility under the 1999 Constitution.

Nwabochi stated that the bill, sponsored by Speaker Amaewhule, aims to establish the Rivers State Electricity Commission to enforce consumer rights and obligations, aligning with the new constitutional order.

Amaewhule, declared open a public hearing on the Electricity Market Bill, 2024, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder input in the law-making process.

Amaewhule, who sponsored the bill, said the hearing provides a platform for the public to share their views and opinions on the proposed legislation, which aims to boost power supply in the state and attract investment in the electricity sector.

He highlighted the need for a legal framework to guide investment in the power sector, now that it falls under the Concurrent Legislative List.

He, however, reaffirmed the Tenth Rivers State House of Assembly’s commitment to enacting high-impact laws that positively impact the people of the state.

He said the public hearing is a crucial step in the legislative process, allowing stakeholders to shape the bill and ensure it meets the needs of the state and its people.

Commenting on the Bill on behalf of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), the Chairman of ALGON Rivers State Chapter and Chairman, of Port Harcourt Local Government Council, Hon. Allwell Ihunda harped on the importance of the Bill, describing it as a people-oriented Bill.

He expressed the willingness of ALGON to work collaboratively with the House to ensure that when the Law is enacted its benefits trickle down to the grassroots.

Rivers Assembly Crisis Deepens As Factions Hold Parallel Public Hearings is first published on The Whistler Newspaper