RVHA Leader Explains Councillors’ Invitation

The leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Chidi Lloyd, says the recent invitation of the members of the 23 local government legislative arms in the state by the House of Assembly was not for witch hunting.

Hon. Lloyd gave this clarification during an interactive  session with the Assembly correspondents at the weekend in Port Harcourt.

He stated that the aim of the exercise was to strengthen the third tier government in order to make it proactive and to enable it perform effectively, adding that the House will stop at nothing to resolve the various disagreements existing among the local government legislative and executive arms across the state.

The House leader reiterated his earlier call on the need to amend the state local law in order to ensure that credible people who know what it takes are elected to serve in the local government administrations.

He disclosed that the suspended Andoni and Oyigbo local government chairman by the House was based on the allegations brought before the House adding that the House would not spear any council chairmen found wanting.

The lawmaker used the opportunity to inform  the press on the achievements made by the House within the years under review noting   that the state legislature has  had a good working relationship with the executive arm.

He stated that the recent state Primary Health Centre Management  law and the state Contributory Levy Laws  passed by the House were among other bills assented to by the state governor.

The lawmaker, who represents Emohua Constituency in the state House of Assembly, further explained that the state Contributory Social Service Levy would help the state government to provide  free education and health care services for the indigent children in the state. 

He further disclosed that the House has also waded into the ASSU strike in state universities with the aim to funding a lasting solution in the lingering strike in the state owned universities.

The leader of the state legislature disagrees that the House was a mere rubber stamp of the executive arm as being speculated adding that  the House had not shied away from its responsibilities  when it matters.

The House called on the people of the state to participate enmass during  the forthcoming INEC voters registration exercise and assured that the House would continue to make laws that will be beneficial to the state.

Oscar Nwaoyibo