Rivers Chieftaincy, Domestic Violence Bills Get To C’ttee

The Rivers State House of
Assembly has committed two bills into ad hoc committee stage to look into them and organize public hearing on them.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree who took the decision after the two bills passed the second reading at the floor of the House yesterday, directed that the committees should submit the reports to the House in two weeks. The two bills are the Rivers State Chieftaincy and Council Bill and Rivers State Domestic Violence Bill.
While debating on the bills, Hon Chidi Llyod representing Emohua constituency said the bill was necessary in order to recognise chieftaincy stools in the state and also deal with chieftancy law.
Hon Llyod who is the House Leader noted that the recognition and passage of the bill would harmonise the stools and also ensure that one first class stool over sees the entire local government.
According to him, ‘’the Amanayabo of Kalabari will have to oversee the whole of Kalabari while the Onyesi Etche will have to oversee the whole of Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas.”
The lawmaker said this will correct the anomalies and make the chieftaincy stool up to date.
Others who spoke in favour of the bill include Hon Ibiso Nwuche,Hon Chigbo Sam Eligwe,Lucky Odili, all suggested that the bill should move to the next stage.
The ad hoc committee member  to  to look into the bill.include Hon Chidi Lloyd as Chairman,Hon Chigbo Sam Eligwe, Hon Miller Andew Anderson, Hon Ben Horsfall and Victoria Wobo Nyeche as members.
Also the Rivers State Domestic Violence Bill passed its second reading and was committed into committee stage.
Earlier, Hon Llyod had urged his male colleagues not to support the bill and allow it to pass this stage.
According to him, if it is passed, it will make all the male go to jail.
He condemned some clauses such as fiscal aggression and controlling, domineerin, saying it is  the function of the man as the head of the house to control and head his home even as he said every woman should be treated well.
Hon Felicia Tanee, Tai  disagreed with Hon Llyod that the bill was to witch hunt the male, saying it was meant to give the women some belongings at home.
Hon Lucky Odili and Hon Sam Eligwe noted that the term domestic violence was broad. Hon Odili observed that the bill was all about the husband and wife and did not imply other members of the family. He however advised the initiator of the bill to withdraw and re phrase it.
Earlier, Hon Nyeche said the bill should not be viewed in the context of husband and wife, but members should consider their daughters while making contributions on the bill. She noted that marriage is supposed to be enjoyed by the couples.
The Rivers State Domestic Violence Bill adhoc committee is to be headed by Hon. Golden Chioma Ngozi, while Hon Belema Okpokiri, Hon Lucky Odili, Hon Ibiso Nwuche and Hon Felicia Tanee serve as members