The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday commenced the screening of chairmen and members of caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas of the state even as they expressed concern over alleged compromise of competence with party loyalty by the executive in the nomination of candidates into political positions in the state.
This was the view of the lawmakers when the nominees for chairmanship and membership of the caretaker committees for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Emohua local government areas appeared at the floor of the House on Monday, for screening.
Hon Clement Isaac, chairmanship nominee for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and CTC nominees for Emohua local government areas were unable to articulate answers to questions put to them during the screening by the lawmakers.
The development did not go down well with the state lawmakers who suggested that any person who cannot express his or her identity very well in public was unfit to occupy a sensitive public office.
Prior to the commencement of the screening exercise, the Speaker, Rt Hon Tonye Harry, who presided over the sitting, had told the lawmakers that the exercise would not be business as usual, rather efforts should be intensified to ensure that the nominees were subjected to mental test.
He used the opportunity to advise the up-coming local government caretaker executives to ensure that funds allocated to their local government areas were judiciously used for the development of their areas.
The speaker reiterated the commitment of the House to ensuring that the funds given to the caretaker committee members were spent on the development of their respective areas.
Meanwhile, before the nominees were allowed into the hallowed chamber for screening, the House Leader, Hon Golden Chioma (Etche II) moved a motion to that effect and was seconded by Hon Linda Somiari-Stewart (Okrika).
The exercise witnessed many sympathisers and loyalists of the nominees who watch in admiration as their nominees were drilled by the lawmakers.
The local government areas so far screened by the lawmakers include, Bonny, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Eleme. Others are, Ogu/Bolo, Degema, Abua/Odual and Emohua local government areas.
