RVHA Backs Down On Move To Sanction Commissioners …Sets Up Committee To Wind Down 7th Assembly

The Rivers State House of Assembly, for the second time, barked but could not bike after four persons subpoenaed by the legislators could not show up at the seating last Monday.
The House, in its seating penultimate  Tuesday, had  threatened to issue warrant of arrest to government officials who refused to honour the House’s invitation, but surprisingly, the legislators could not act as they threatened after five out of the nine they invited could not show up last Monday.
Four commissioners, Hon Augustine Wokocha, Emmanuel Chinda, Victor Tambari Giadom and Mrs Ibim Semenitari and the Chairperson of the state Internal Revenue Service, Mrs Obele Ochoko Osila responded to the invitation.
But the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Chamberlain  Peterside, Health, Sampson T.Parker, Transport, Hon George Tolofari, the Accountant General, and the chairman, Assembly Service Commission,Omubo Pricewill could not make it to the House, seating on Monday.
Earlier, the Leader of the House, Hon Chidi Julius Lloyd had informed the House that the Accountant General, the Commissioner for Finance and Health Commissioner, sent words to the leadership that they were in Abuja attending state assignments.
Hon Lloyd also regretted that those invited had last week submitted their briefs but were unable to make them available to members due to their crowded engagements.
The commissioners were, however, requested to give highlights of how they spent funds allocated to their various ministries.
Addressing the House, the Commissioner for Power, Hon Augustine Wokocha said the ministry was on a mission to stabilize power supply  in the state, stating that the power sector in the state has been positioned.
He noted that the ministry was able to build  more sub stations and power lines in the state.
According to him, ‘’ we delivered Afam power station and built three transmission stations at Afam, Rumuosi and Elelenwo’’, to service those areas.
He disclosed that N70 billion was earmarked for the project but the ministry received only 30billion.
‘’ Eight sub stations were built and 200 transformers were installed in different parts of the state capital’’, he said.
The Chairman of the Internal Revenue Service, Mrs Obele Ochoko Osila, in her submission, said the commission was able to create foundation and built system that will continue to generate revenue for the state.
She noted that people now pay taxes due to the power given to the service, as she commended the legislators for granting the service autonomy.
The Commissioner for Works, Hon Victor Giadom, explained that the ministry constructed 306 roads between 2011 and now.
He said out of the 306, the ministry was able to complete 118 roads while the rest are at different stages of completion.
According to him, ‘’ The ministry was able to complete 22 dual carriage roads which have helped ease off traffic in the city of Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Emmanuel Chinda, informed the House that the ministry’s mandate was to ensure food production and security in the state.
While explaining reasons some persons from Khana Local Government Area were yet to get their agricultural loan, Chinda said the ministry has egibility criteria to access the loans.
According to him, “They have loans and grants given to the people within the past years”.
In her submission, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari said that her ministry was a service ministry and not  project-driven, , explaining that the ministry had to collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Journalists to build a Press Centre for the Union.
She noted that the Press Centre would also House a Resource Centre, adding that the ministry was able to purchase modern Rotary Machine for the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Publishers of The Tide Newspapers, procured Outstation Van for Radio Rivers, but could not carry out  similar project for Rivers State Television due to lack of funds.
Meanwhile, the Assembly has set up  a committee to wind down the 7th Assembly, preparatory to the official handover to the 8th Assembly on the 29th May.
The Speaker, who announced the committee, noted that the idea was to ensure smooth and peaceful transition as required by law.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon Leyii Kwanee, who presided over the seating on Monday announced Okechukwu Akara as the chairman of the valedictory session, Hon Onari Brown will head the strategy committee while Hon Golden Chioma will serve as the chairman of winding down committee.
Kwanee also announced the Deputy Leader, Hon Ewor Nname Robson as the  chairman who will coordinate all the committees to ensure that everything was in placed.