Rivers Lawmakers Berate Colleague Over Plagiarism …Reject Road Worthiness Bill

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Wednesday accused their colleague, Hon Collins Ordu (Obio/Akpor) of plagiarism as they kicked against the bill seeking to prohibit the use of vehicles without road worthiness certificate in the state.

Contributing in the debate on the bill at a plenary session, Hon Ibani Ikuninyi Owaji (Andoni), Ewor Nname (Ahoada/East I), Ihunwo Victor (PHAGA III), West Ibinabo Micheal (ASALGA I) and Hon Lloyd Chidi (Emohua) berated the intentions of the bill, noting that some portions of the bill were lifted from the existing state road traffic management agency law.

The lawmakers averred that the bill was a duplication of the existing law and lacked the necessary substance to make it pass into law, adding that the bill would require more legislative surgery for its passage into law.

They accused the sponsor of the bill, Hon Collin Ordu, of commiting an act of plagiarism and urged the House not to further waste its time and energy on the bill.

The lawmakers urged their colleagues not to consider making a law that would not stand the test of time, adding that the bill contradicted the functions of the state Road Traffic Management Agency.

The sponsor of the bill, Hon Collins Ordu condemned the actions of his colleagues to kill the bill, describing their actions as myopic to the intention of the bill.

He stated that the objective of the bill was to ensure that road users in the state enjoy a good ride while driving on the roads as well as reduce emission in the state.

Ruling on the matter, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Tonye Harry, who presided over the sitting relying on the standing order of the House committed the bill to the House Committee on Transport.

The Speaker opined that it was not in the powers of the lawmakers to determine which bill would die or live , adding that it was the responsibility of a committee for which the bill was committed into to decide.

The state Vehicle Road Worthiness bill 2010 is a private bill sponsored by Hon Collins Ordu which seeks among other things to establish a motor vehicle inspection unit (MVI) that would prosecute any person that would drive vehicle in the state without road worthiness certificate.

Blessing Effiong