RVHA Charts Path To Safe Waterways

There has been lull in the activities of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RVHA) for two consecutive weeks as plenary sessions have not held.
However, three events dominated few activities in the House last week.
The first among them took the centre stage at the office of the Assembly/speaker last Tuesday in Port Harcourt, when the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani and two other law-makers played host to the delegation of the Saint Andrew Anglican Church, Mile I Diobu, Port Harcourt.
During the interactive session with the Church delegation  the Speaker promised that the Assembly will revisit the State Social Rehabilitation law to check the influx and menace of beggars and people living with disabilities on the streets of Port Harcourt and its environs.
Ibani gave the assurance in response to the pleas by the Church over the increase in criminal activities and persons with mental retardation around church premises and beyond.
The speaker also promised that the House will liaise with security agencies to rid the Diobu area of criminality, to ensure the security of lives and property of both residents and worshippers.
In his speech, the vicar of the church and the head of the delegation, Ven. Boma Briggs said the visit to the Assembly was to identify with the legislature and to bring to its notice some issues that needed to be addressed in the State.
Biggs, who congratulated the Speaker and members of the House for their victory in the just-concluded rerun elections commended the legislative arm for its immense contribution to the developmental vision of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in the State.
The second event took place at the office of the lawmaker representing Bonny Constituency, Hon. Abinye Pepple in the Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt.
Pepple hosted a joint meeting of both Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Boat Drivers Association, Bonny Branch, on Wednesday, over the boat mishap that claimed seven lives along Bonny waterways.
He called for proper certification of boats plying Bonny waterways to minimize frequent boat accidents.
The lawmaker also wants the installation of weather forecast reader to check weather conditions for easy navigation on the water ways.
On his part, the chairman of Maritime Workers Union, Bonny Unit, Comrade Maxwell Hart called on the Government to improve security along the Bonny waterways to ensure safety.
The House, last Thursday, presented five Bills already passed by the House to the State governor for accent.
Presenting the Bills, the Speaker of the House said the bills were passed because of the Assembly’s commitment to the development of the State.
According to him, the Bill includes Rivers Education Amendment Bill 2017, Rivers State Honour Law 2017, Rivers State Reserved Fund Repeal Law 2017, Rivers State University Law 2017, and Rivers State Teaching Hospital Bill 2017.
The Speaker commended members of the House for corporation and commitment to ensuring that the name of the State is placed on the platform that will give the leadership some respect.
He also thanked the Governor for ensuring good relationship between the Executive and the Legislative organs of Government in the State.

Enoch Epelle