The Rivers State House of Assembly has constituted an eight man ad-hoc committee to investigate the appropriation of N2bn approved for the state University of Science and Technology by the administration of Dr Peter Odili.
The setting up of the committee follows a motion of public importance brought at the floor of the House, Friday by Hon Chidi Llyod, representing Emohua Constituency in the state assembly.
Hon Llyod had drawn the attention of the state lawmakers to the dilapidated state of infrastructures in the university, which has reduced the stature of the university in the country.
He noted that the past administration under the erstwhile governor of the state, Dr Odili released N2 billion for the institution upon reconstitution of the present governing council of the state under the chairmanship of Professor Tasie to, among other things, ensure that the infrastructures in the institution and accreditation of courses and taken care of.
The state lawmaker regretted that in spite of the huge sum released to the university the problem of infrastructure and accreditation of courses still persists in the institution.
He therefore prayed the House to give due attestation to the motion in order to save the school from its present predicament by constituting an ad-hoc committee to investigate the expenditure of the fund released by the state government.”
Seconding the motion, Hon West Ibinabo Michael (Asari-Toru Constituency II) said the motion becomes imperative in order to save the premier university of technology from collapse.
Hon West stated that as lawmakers they have the constitutional powers to investigate any matter that is in the interest of the state, especially as it affects transparency and accountability in public governance.
In their contributions, Hon Golden Ngozi Chioma (Etche II), Hon Ogbonda Jones (PHALGA I), Hope Ikiriko (Ahoada West), Henry Ogiri (Abua/Odual) and Hon Ibani I. Owaji Andoni while supporting the motion urged the House to extend the terms of reference to the entire administration rather than confining it only to the N2 billion released.
The lawmakers were of the opinion that apart of the money in question, other problems such as power tussle among the top rotiles of the school one problems militating against the development of the university.
Rulling on the matter, the Speaker, Rt Hon. Tonye Harry, who presided over the sitting, however, said the committee\'s investigation will be limited to the N2bn fund in order to meet up with the urgency the motion demanded.
The eight man ad-hoc committee has Hon Isaac Kamalu as chairman, Hon Kennedy Ibeku, Chidi Llyod, Ibinabo Michael West as members. Others are Hon Jones Ogbonda, Hon Ogiri I. Otennan and Hon Victor Ihunwo.
