Include Revenue Sharing In Constitution Amendment, RVHA Tells NASS

Special Assistant to Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner For Justice, Barr Mrs Mercy Okey-Chinda (standing) representing her boss during the workshop organised by Code of Conduct Bureau for Local Government Chairmen at Delta Hotel, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

Worried over the exclusion of revenue sharing in favour of the Niger Delta region in the on-going constitution amendment, the Rivers State House of Assembly has appealed to the National Assembly to include the issue to give the people a sense of belonging.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry, in an interview with The Tide at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, said that the consideration of fair revenue sharing to the Niger Delta region which produces the bulk of the nation’s wealth would address the issue of marginalization against the area.

Rt. Hon. Harry noted that the state House of Assembly rejected six out of the 41 sections proposed for amendment by the National Assembly Joint Constitution Review Committee.

According to him, the House supported the inclusion of independent candidates to contest elections provided such persons were qualified to do so as stipulated by the constitution.

He explained that the minimum qualification for candidates, wishing to contest as members of House of Assembly would be a Diploma or must be a former member who had served for four years, as equivalent.

Shedie Okpara