RVHA Explains Governors Fringe Benefits Law

Rivers State House of

            Assembly, says the law on remuneration and fringe benefits for former Governors and Deputy Governors was in tandem with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information and Training, Hon. Onari Brown, gave the explanation recently in Port Harcourt while briefing Assembly correspondents on the activities of the 7th Assembly for the past one year.

Hon. Brown said section 124 (5) of the 1999 constitution empowers the House to make provision for former governors and deputy governors provided the beneficiaries were elected and was not impeached out of office.

According to Hon. Brown, the internment of the law which was an amendment to the 2003 law of the State hinges on checking looting on the state treasury, realising that the state would appreciate the services rendered by the public officer on leaving office.

He condemned those criticising the law for their failure to avail themselves of the opportunity to make inputs and exchange ideas with others at the public hearing process of the law’s passage.

The lawmaker lamented that cynicism on the part of the public has been a major challenge facing the Assembly, describing the state House of Assembly as very vibrant in its deliberations.

Hon. Brown, denied insinuations in some quarters that the Assembly is a rubber stamp of the executive arm, pointing out that disagreement in the media would not serve any useful purpose for the state.

He noted that the peace existing between the House and the governor was based on the knowledge of the governor on the powers of the legislature, adding that the governor knows when to call for a meeting to resolve issues.

The lawmaker hinted that the State Assembly has continued to maintain its leading role in the comity of state lawmakers by making laws that have direct impact on the lives of Rivers people.