The Rivers State House of Assembly has urged the state government to strengthen the Ministry of Works to enable it discharge its functions effectively.
This was the view of some state lawmakers yesterday, who spoke at the floor of the House during the on-going debate on the Rivers State Road Maintenance bill 2008 presented to it by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for consideration.
Hon Jones Ogbonda (Port Harcourt I) noted that the strengthening of the state Ministry of Works would not only help the state in providing good roads to the people but would save the state from overspending as a result of the road maintenance agency the bill was seeking to establish.
The lawmaker, who is of the opinion that establishing the state road maintenance agency would make the Ministry of Works redundant, noted that section 131 of the Nigerian Constitution confers on the Ministry of Works the responsibility to maintain our roads.
He called on the state government to provide basic working tools for the ministry and also embark on the training and retraining of its staff in order to enable them attain the desired expectations in road maintenance.
Other lawmakers, who contributed to the debate on the bill, while suggesting some amendments to it, thanked the state governor for taking a bold step in tackling the decay of our road network system.
They described the bill as timely, noting that the bill, when passed into law, will fast-track the economic development of the state.
The bill has passed its second reading, and has been committed to committee stage at the floor of the House.
In his ruling, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Tonye Harry commended the lawmakers for their contributions, and announced that the would properly constitute the committee, when the House resumes plenary session, next week.
