RVHA Rejects LG Autonomy

Among proceedings that dominated activities in the Rivers State House of Assembly last week was proceedings on the ongoing Constitutional amendment deliberations. The Assembly approved 15 alterations, with emphasis on the devolution of powers to the states.
The alterations made on the constitution by the House include fourth alleviation Bill, 2017 No 2,4,6,8,9,14,15,16,20,21,22,27 and 28. The House rejected six of the alterations and approved nine.
Among those approved are No. 2 which reduces the maximum period within which expenditure shall be made from previous budget before the passage of a new one from six months to three, No 4 deals with the autonomy of the legislature, No 8 deals with the legislative immunity, No 15: removed of the word “Force” form the Nigeria Police Force.
The House however rejected No 5, the autonomy for local government, No 6 strengthening of the local governments, No 9 INEC’s power and No 14 independent candidacy.
Last Thursday the House in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had a two day workshop to enhance capacity of lawmakers on enacting health insurance scheme legislation in the state.
The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani who spoke at the event pointed out that the Assembly will work towards achieving universal health coverage.
Rt Hon Ibani explained that enacting laws that will legalise the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will reduce health challenges faced by ordinary citizens.
In his words, “Usually, when people pay most of the cost of health services out of their own pockets, the poor are often unable to obtain the services they need even the well off may be exposed to financial hardship in the event of server long term illness”.
On her part, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Florence Fiberesima described the partnership between the Rivers State Government and USAID as a most welcome development.
Objectives of the workshop included building capacity of lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly on key concepts of health insurance legislations and their roles, providing information and critical analysis of the highlights and terms of a bill to enable legislators make informed decision on a health insurance bills.
Last Saturday members of the House representing Bonny Constituency, Hon Abinye Blessing Pepple laid his mother, Mrs Christiana Pepple to rest in Bonny.
The burial witnessed the presence of the Speaker and other top House members including Deputy Speaker, Hon Marsahll Uwom, Deputy Chief Whip, Hon Major Jack, Hon Christian Ahiakwo and Hon Adonye Diri of Opobo/Nkoro Constituency.
The lawmaker from Bonny in a speech during the church burial service at St Stephen’s Cathedral Bonny eulogized his mother for being caring and supportive.
Hon Pepple thanked all who came from far and near to attend the burial and prayed God to grant them journey mercies