RVHA Endorses N100bn Bond

T

he Rivers State House Assembly last Wedesday
sat and attended to three of the four bills in the House procedure for the day. The first was the bill by the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi seeking authorization to access N100 billion bond to enable the government complete on-going infrastructural projects in the State.

The debate among the legislators centered on those who wanted the bill to be given speedy attention and those who wanted the House to invite the State Commissioner for Finance to brief members on the intricacies of the bill before granting the authorization.

The first group, led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Leyii Kwanee, among other reasons, argued that allowing the bill to go through various procedures at the second reading stage, by inviting the Commissioner to come and defend it would only unnecessarily prolong its passage.

They explained that considering the present political situation in the State and problems associated with embarking on infrastructural projects during the forth coming rainy season warrants the bill being given speedy attention for work on projects to commence in earnest.

Those who wanted the Commissioner’s explanation noted the need for the legislative arm to avoid being tagged rubber stamp to the executive. In addition, they argued that as lawmakers, they owed their various constituencies an explanation of how tax payers’ money was spent.

Ruling in favour of a speedy passage of the bill, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree reminded the lawmakers that the N100 billion was part of the 2014 Appropriation Bill they passed last month. He, however, noted that the Commissioner would be invited on a later date to explain the #100 billion bonds.

The lawmakers also committed two other bills: “Waste Management Agency Bill 2014” and “Tax and Levies Harmonization Bill 2014”, to the Committee Stage. For the Waste Management Agency Bill, the Deputy Speaker pleaded that the lawmakers be given ample time to scrutinise the document, which was given to them earlier that morning, noting that this was the only way to ensure an enlightened discussion on the bill.

While some of the members concurred, others argued that since the bill was first introduced before the July 9, 2013 fracas on the floor of the House, it should be moved to the Committee Stage.

After due debate on the bill, members were unanimous in committing the bill to the Committee on Environment, noting that the legislators can still make whatever contributions to the bill when the committee finally submits it to the House.

The same easy passage was given the Tax and Levies Harmonization Bill, which was committed to the House Committee on Finance, while the last item of the day, the “Rivers State Customary Court Bill 2014” was adjourned to when the House would reconvene as the House adjourned sine die.