Wike Swears In Nsirim, 12 Other Commissioners-Designate, Today …Signs 2020 Appropriation Bill Into Law

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike will, today, swear in Pastor Paulinus Nsirim alongside 12 other commissioners- designate recently confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In a statement by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the swearing-in of the Commissioners-Designate will be followed by that of Special Advisers.
According to the statement, all the events will hold at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Pastor Nsirim who until his nomination was the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Information and Communications, is from Ozuoba Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
A graduate of Public Administration and Journalism, and until his recent nomination by Governor Nyesom Wike to serve in the Rivers State Executive Council, Pastor Nsirim is the Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. A former Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Rivers State, Nsirim had the record of serving on three occasions as Chief Press Secretary to different Rivers State Governors.
Known for his passion for the rebranding of the State which gave rise to the birth of his brainchild, “Our State, Our Responsibility” slogan which he explained was a deliberate revolution to change the negative narrative about Rivers, “a State that is blessed with abundant human and material resources but has in the last few years suffered negative reportage which were sponsored by those who wanted to undermine the current administration.”
He had always made it clear that the import of the message remains that all who live and do business in the state have a shared responsibility to defend the interest of Rivers State, especially against the background of efforts by the Governor to return the state to the path of peace and unity.
Also on the list of the 13 commissioner-nominees confirmed by the State House of Assembly are Elder Chinedu Tasie, Chief Rodafold Long-John, Sir Sunny Ejekwu, Barr. Osima Gina, Dr. Fred Kpakol and Mr. Bariere Thomas. The rest are Mrs. Ifeoma Nwankpa, Mrs. Inime Chinwewo Aguma, Dr. Peter Medee, Prof Kaniye Ebeku,Barr.Sylvanus Nwankwo and Austin Ben-Chioma. On this note, The Tide congratulates Pastor Paulinus Nsirim in particular and others in general on scaling the hurdle of screening and confirmation, and wishes them a fruitful season of service to God and to Rivers people.
In another development, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, will also sign the 2020 Appropriation Bill into law today.
It would be recalled that after intense debate at the weekend, the Rivers State House of Assembly approved the state 2020 appropriation bill last Friday.
This is coming two weeks after the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, presented a budget of over N530 billion to the House for consideration.
A breakdown of the budget shows that capital expenditure had a lion share of N374billion, while recurrent had N156 billion.
The 2020 budget is N50 billion higher than last year’s budget.
The passage of the budget followed the report of the House Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Hon. Enemi George, who presented its report before the House.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi -Owaji Ibani shortly after the committee of the whole House, said the bill of 2020 will boost economic growth and sustainable development in the state.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon.Martin Amaewhule, who led the debate, said every sector of the state had been captured to attract more development in the state
The lawmaker representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Michael Chinda, in his contribution, urged his colleagues to take their oversight functions very seriously to enhance efficiency in the implementation of the budget.
The House adjourned till 7th January, 2020.