RVHA Passes Two Bills Into Law

The Rivers State Administration of Estate (Small Estate Payments Exemption) Bill 2023 and Public Works and Utlilities Protection Amendment Bill 2023 have been passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The two bills were passed on the floor of the House on Monday following robust submissions made by lawmakers at the Committee of the Whole.
The Public Works And Utilities Protection Amendment Bill which aims at addressing the issue of vandalism and destruction of public infrastructure received enormous support from lawmakers including the House Leader, Hon. Edison Ehie and Hon.Victor Oko-Jumbo of Bonny Constituency.
According to them, it is the responsibility of government to protect lives and property while the law is there to prevent the people from vandalising public infrastructure.
On the Rivers State Administration of Estate (Small Estate Payments Exemption) Bill, lawmakers submitted that stiffer punishment should be applied to deter offenders.
Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, Silvernus Nwankwo of Omuma Constituency and Emelia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency 2 advocated for a fine of five hundred thousand and above.
Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, while reporting the resolution from the committee of the whole, said members agreed that  all existing statutes regarding punishment on perjury shall apply with additional fine of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000.00).
It will be recalled that these two bills were earlier committed to the committee of the whole after the committees concluded their work.

By: Ike Wigodo