Politics
RVHA Commits Two Bills To Committee Stage
Following what the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Otelemaba Amachree, described as robust debate, the bill seeking to repeal and reenact the Board of Internal Revenue Law and the State Waste Management Bill have been committed to the committee stages of the House for further legislative input.
The lawmakers in supporting the proposed re-enactment of the Board of Internal Revenue Law, noted that the move would enhance the functionality of the Board in the discharge of its duties.
In his contribution, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and member representing Eleme Constituency in the State House of Assembly Hon. Josiah John Olu, said the bill seeks to establish autonomy for the Board.
Hon Olu noted that reform proposed in the bill will help to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)for the state, especially with the decreasing federal allocation to the state.
He disclosed that attractive salary structure for the staff would check incidents of manipulation and leakages in the system while state and local government revenue procedure would be harmonised.
The draft also provides for measures to be adopted to undertake audit of the activities of the board, emphasising that the law when passed will strengthen the board of internal revenue to generate funds for the development of the state.
Hon Augustine Ngo (Abua/Odual) and Hon Victor Amadi (Etche I) faulted clause on qualification of those to be appointed for not being specific, but remarked the move would block loopholes in the system.
Hon Azubuike Wanjoku (Ikwerre) and Hon Victoria Nyeche (Port Harcourt I) said the state can boast of credible people to occupy the positions, adding that the exercise will bring about effective operation in the board.
All the speakers on the Waste Management Bill lauded the intent of the proposal, saying it would stop the present arrangment where heaps of refuse are found on the streets.
They, however, cautioned on some of the clauses which were said to be ambiguous, particularly the generation of the law throughout the state instead of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local governments alone for a start.
The lawmakers also disagreed with some of the fines stipulated for offenders, such as N100,000 for urinating in public, N500,000 for dumping anything, adding that government must first provide public conveniences before the law could be effective.
The Speaker, Hon Amachree referred the board of Internal revenue bill to the House Committee on Finance, while the waste management went to the environment committee for necessary action, stating that fear raised by members would be addressed at the public hearing.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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