Assembly Okays Public Utilities Bill

Rivers State Public Utilities Protection Bill, has received the blessing of the state legislature and now awaits the assent of the state governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to become law.

The proposed bill which was sponsored by Hon. Martin Amaewhule, member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency I, had passed through the rigorous processes of law enactment to have an unanimous vote for the bill to be read a third time.

The passage of the bill followed recommendations of the House Committee on Urban Development that conducted a public hearing on the draft bill and received valid inputs from stakeholders and the public.

Debating on the report of the committee, Hon. Michael Okey-Chinda disagreed with the new title of the bill and advised that the original title which he said captured the essence of the law should be retained.

The views of Hon. Chinda was collaborated by Hon. Martin Amaewhule and Hon. Victoria Nyeche, noting that the introduction of infrastructure adds a new dimension of unlimited scope which was not the intention of the bill.

In his contribution, Hon. Ikuniyi  Ibani, representing Andoni, noted that if the change in definition would capture the present and future intentions of protecting public utilities it should be allowed.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Leyii Kwanee who presided over the plenary session, lauded the smooth passage of the private members bill sponsored by Hon. Martin Amaewhule while commending the committee and the lawmakers for their useful deliberations.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education has re-presented its report on the state University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt while debate has been deferred.