RSHA Deliberates On Flood Matters

Last week, the state House of Assembly did not sit formally as it had earlier adjourned  for two weeks to enable the lawmakers visit their country homes to celebrate  the Easter festivities with their families and constituency members.

Expectedly, the honourable  members used the period to interface with those they represent by briefing  them on the laws  passed by the Assembly and those pending  before the House with a view to seeking their  opinion to either  speak in favour or against the proposed laws.

Some of such issues include the Waste Management Agency  bill, the Customary  Court Amendment bill, the Tax Harmonisation bill and  the motion for preparation  against the predicted flooding in Rivers State by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMEI).

The motion to prepare for the  expected  heavy rainful and subsequent  flooding was presented by the lawmaker representing Abua/Odual, Hon. Augustine Ngo. The House unanimously accepted the prayers sought in the  motion and even went further to resolve that some  commissioners and other  relevant agencies of  government appear before the Assembly to explain  steps put in place to mitigate or cushion the  expected impact.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree, who voiced the resolution of the House, urged the  clerk to write to the Commissioners of Special Duties and Information and Communications to appear  before the lawmakers to intimate them of precautionary measures regarding the NIMET prediction.

The House had observed that similar predications last year by the organisation  was ignored and the state  witness one of the worst floods in recent history that took every  one napping. The outcome was deaths and destruction of properties.

Means of livelihood and economic  activities in the affected  areas were brought to a halt and life became miserable.

As the House resumes  plenary  session tomorrow, those invited by the lawmakers would  be expected to tell the members of the Assembly steps taken in response to the prediction  of possible heavy rainful that will occasion flooding in some parts of the state that are  vulnerable.

The interaction is expected to be fruitful as assurances  to be given by those invited would  be the yardstick to measure their roles in the discharge of their duties.

Informally, the lawmakers were engaged in different activities, even the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amaechree, participated in the launching of the European Union (EU) supported Micro-Project Programme (MPP) for the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

The launching, which took place at the auditorium of the state Assembly had in attendance the EU Ambassador, Dr. David MacRae, Secretary to the National Planning Commission who represented the Minister of  National Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Usman Shamsuddeen, Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru, represented Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

The House Committee Chairman on Information and Training, Hon. Onari Brown, represented the Speaker when the Commissioner for Information,  Mrs Ibim Semenitari led women  groups on advocacy visit to call attention to violence against women in society.

Hon Onari said the state Assembly was among the first to pass a law on violence against  women and remains resolute in its support against all forms of violence targeted at women.

Equally, the state lawmakers are expected to expedite action on the passage of outstanding bills and possibly introduce new ones that would bring about good governance as well as enhance service delivery.