Assembly Watch

Rivers State House of Assembly last week demonstrated that the core value in the discharge of its legislative duties remains the interest  of Rivers people.

This paradigm was rekindled when a motion seeking that relevant organs of government prepare for the expected heavy rainfall that will occasion flooding in 2013 as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) engaged the attention of the lawmakers.

The motion sponsored by Hon. Augustine Paul Ngo, representing Abua/Odual, attracted unanimous acceptability as all voted in favour of the motion and the prayers sought.

Directing House proceeding, the Speaker Rt Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree after robust deliberation announced the resolution of the House with an amendment to the prayers to invite some Commissioners to appear before it to brief them on steps taken or about to be taken regarding the prediction of NIMET because similar warning last year was ignored and some Rivers people suffered greatly for that.

The Commissioners expected on the floor of the Assembly in the weeks to come include Special Duties, Environment, Information and Communications. They are expected to explain how the disturbing warning would be approached, utilising the apparatus of their exalted offices  to reduce the hardship experienced last year by the victims of flood.

Leader of the Assembly Hon. Chidi Lioyd described the vitality of the motion thus, “this is one of the best things that has happened to the House.”

He stated that the sponsor of the motion has provided the platform for the state to take steps to cushion the effects of flood rather than engage in makeshift arrangement that was the case last year.

Other contributors aligned themselves to the issues at stake and supported the motion.

Hon. Ngo said that when similar prediction was reported last year nobody paid attention and many Rivers people became victims as lives were lost and property worth billions of Naira were destroyed.

He urged relevant government agencies to make haste and commence preparations to enlighten the people on the impending flood that is expected this year as the volume of rainfall would surpass that of  2012.

The Lawmakers equally listened to the report of House Committee Chairman on Finance, Hon. Josiah Olu, on the bill for a law to harmonise taxes and levies payable in the state.

The 12-page report recommends amongs other things a that any person who attempts to or collects a tax, levy that is not listed in the schedules of the proposed law commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N350,000 or imprisonment for three years or both.

According to Hon. Olu, the Committee recommends that any person who collects tax without due authority and identification commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N150,000 while mounting of road block or causing a road to be closed for the purpose of collecting a tax or levy commits an offence and is liable to a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for a term of one year or both.

However, debate on the bill has been deferred to a later date when the lawmakers are expected to critically analyse the report with a view to either accept the bill or reject it.

Similarly, the Waste Management Agency bill which passed through second reading last week had been sent to the Committee on Environment for more legislative input.

The repackaged Customary Court bill scheduled for second reading rolled quietly to the Committee stage on judiciary with debate as the vexing issues that halted its earlier appearance had been removed.