News
Rivers State Dumping Of Waste Prohibition Bill Gets First Reading
The week under review in the Assembly witnessed lots of activities as the screening of nine commissioner nominees was concluded and approved for the governor.
The House went further to give first reading and later debated on the new Rivers State Dumping of Waste Prohibition and Marshals bill, (HA-13),followed by a motion raised by Hon. Sam Ogeh of Emohua State Constituency to condemn the importation of meat products into the state.
The screening of the commissioner nominees dominated proceedings last Tuesday as the legislators screened the nominees whose names were submitted to it by the governor.
Two of the commissioner nominees: Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja and Hon. Boma Iyaye were asked to take a bow after they introduced themselves as former legislators.
However, Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, Hon. Damiete Herbert-Miller, Emeka Onowu, Barrister Eloka Tasie-Amadi, Ohia Prince and Dr. Igbiks Tamuno were subjected to some questioning by the legislators.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said the screening was in line with Section 192 of the 1999 constitution as amended.
Also, a bill seeking to check indiscriminate dumping of refuse and setting up of Rivers State Marshals has passed First Reading in the House on Tuesday.
The bill referred to as HA-13 2020 got mention on the floor of the House and is a precusor to check the rising challenge of indiscriminate dumping of wastes within the metropolis.
Introducing the bill. Majority Leader, Hon. Martin Amaewhule said it will check dumping of wastes along the road, as the bill has six clauses with the aim to also set up Sanitation Marshals.
Earlier, the House received a petition from Degema against Agip Oil Company for pollution and neglect of host community.
The petition raised alarm over a ruptured pipeline and pollution that has affected many communities in Degema Local Government Area.
After the petition was read , the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani referred the matter to House Committee on Public Petition chaired by Hon. Evans Bipi.
The House later deliberated a motion by Hon. Sam Ogeh to check the importation of meat into the state.
Ogeh among the four prayers he made condemned in strong terms the influx of harmful meat products into the state.
He sought for the relevant government agencies to step up action, the revalidation of abatoire and others measures that may be necessary to check the menace.
Hon Enemi George Alabo of Asari Toru II argued that chicken meat be included among meat products to be monitored, and surmised that most chicken products are preserved with poisonous chemicals not safe for human consumption.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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