Speaker Urges Speedy Passage Of NIEP Bill

Albeit, there was no normal plenary sitting last week at
the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt, activities resumed in the House Monday on a sound note, after the lawmakers returned from a three day retreat from Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State in Nigeria.
The speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Adams Dabotoruddima, last Wednesday hosted the Rivers State Chapter of Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) at the Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt.
Dabotorudima in the group’s monthly meeting as a member expressed the need for the National Assembly to speedily pass into law the “Nigeria Institute of Environmental Practitioners (NIEP) Bill,” which he said was sponsored by a fellow, Hon. Kinsley Chinda representing Obio/Akpor Constituency of Rivers State in the House of Representatives.
He said the bill would regulate and professionalise environmental practices in Nigeria, if passed into law.
Dabotoradima who pledged that House’s unfliching legislative support for the early passage of the NIEP bill, tasked members to support government efforts at protecting the environment from degradation.
The Chairman of NIES, Rivers State Chapter, Mr Adeyemi Adewale had earlier thanked the Speaker and members of the State Assembly for their immense support to the Association
Adewale, who described the organisation as a non-profit group, said the association was committed to the protection, development and sustenance of the environment in Nigeria since October, 1985 when the group was founded.
He expressed NES’s readiness to partner with Rivers State Government to protect the state’s environment against any hazard and environmental degradation.
Last Thursday, the House committee Chairman on Environment, Hon. Christian Ahiakwo led other members of the committee to Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, Port Harcourt for an oversight assignment.
The committee in the meeting with the company’s Management, Hon. Ahiakwo reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to strict compliance to rules and laws governing the operations of oil companies operating in the state.
The committee also urged companies operating in the state to fully implement any agreement reached with the government and communities to avoid any breach of memoranda of understanding (MoU).
He tasked companies operating in the state including Indorama Petrochemicals Limited to live up to their responsibilities to the people, especially as regards environment pollution.
The house committee chairman, who frowned at the level of traffic jam and pollution sought to know what the company has so far put in place to reduce the impacts on the people of the area.
Hon. Ahiakwo, however, expressed satisfaction with the effort of Indorama in boosting both the Rivers State and Nigeria economy.
In his response, the Technical Director Indorama Petrochemical, Mr A.B. Rao assured thaqt the company would continue to maintain its good relationship and friendly partnership with the state government and host communities in the state.
He said the company has taken precautionary measures by liaising with the Federal Road Safety Corps to curb the activities of the truck drivers to reduce traffic in the area.
Subsequently on the same Thursday the chairman of the house Committee on Information and Training, Hon. Samuel Ogeh played host to Nigeria Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ) led by its chairperson Comrade Lilian Okonkwo in his office at the Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt.
Ogeh assured the women journalists of the unflinching support of the 8th Assembly to address some of the challenges facing women journalists in the state.
The lawmaker urged NAWOJ to create public awareness on the laws so far amended and passed including the genital mutilation law by the 8th Assembly as part of the NAWOJ week programme.

Enoch Epelle