Six out of the 23 commissioner nominees in Rivers State were screened by the State House of Assembly yesterday, with an assurance from its Speaker, Hon Tonye Harry that the exercise was not to witch-hunt any nominee.
Hon Harry who presided over the House deliberation told the nominees that the essence of the exercise was to get the best hands that would work with Governor Celestine Omehia for the development of the state.
While noting that the exercise would be free and fair, the Speaker told the nominees who came with the required documents that they should feel free as the Assembly was committed to bringing the best on board for the overall interest of the state.
With a kind and appealing voice, the Speaker also said, “the exercise is open to both politicians and non-politicians. We will not use party affiliations, bias or sentiments to screen, rather our judgement will be on merit.
However, the screening exercise started behind schedule, but before its commencement, the House leader, Hon Golden Ngozi Chioma, Etche II Constituency moved a motion that the House should allow the nominees into the Assembly chamber and was supported by the deputy, Hon Hope Ikiriko, Ahoada West Constituency.
The Assembly gallery was filled to capacity by supporters and well-wishers of the commissioner nominees who watched helplessly as the nominees were drilled by the lawmakers.
During question time, nominees were asked to give a blue print of the policy trust of Omehia administration and how to achieve the objectives, if given the opportunity.
Commenting on the exercise so far, a legislator representing Etche Constituency I, Hon Eke Samuel said the exercise was thorough and designed to ensure that those who would emerge as commissioners and special advisers in the state were not dead woods, noting that the era of allowing misfits was over. He said the house was poised in making sure that those who know the jobs were appointed into positions of trust in the state.
Commenting on the screening exercise yesterday, one of the nominee\'s supporters who simply gave his name as Christian commended the measures the lawmakers adopted in screening the nominees, stating that this measure is a sign post that the lawmakers were up to serious business.
The commissioner nominees screened by the assembly yesterday were Dr Ngozi Odu, Hon Chidiebere Okwu Worlu, Mr Okey Wali and Dr Silas Eneyo.
Others are Mr Dandison Uku and Mr Uche Igbegiri, while the screening exercise continues today by 10.00 am.
