RVHA OKAYS BRIGGS, SEVEN OTHERS FOR RSIEC

The Rivers State House of Assembly has cleared the eight nominees sent to it by the state Governor, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to serve as Chairman and Commissioners in the State Independent Electoral Commission [RVHA]. The State lawmakers, in a unanimous vote yesterday, approved the nomination of the members as sent to it by Governor Amaechi after they were subjected to mental test. Those cleared by the state lawmakers as chairman and commissioners in the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission [RSIEC] include, Prof Nimi DImkpa Briggs, Florence Adokiye Amiesimaka, Dr Samuel B. Nwideeduh and Mrs. Patience H. Obuzor as commissioners. Others are, Mr. Promise Onuoha, Engr. A. H. Igoni, Mr. Bathlomey Eberien Agana as well as Barr Nimi Waslon Jack. Prior to the screening exercise, the Speaker, Rt.Hon.Tonye Harry, who presided, said the state House, Port Harcourt. Hon. Amaechi who said that his being Governor of Rivers State was an act of judicial miracle, and assured that he would govern the state with the fear of God as well as the respect for rule of law. The Governor, who lauded the NBA for the kind comments about his administration, said the greatest challenge confronting his government was the recovery of the city of Port Harcourt from the lawlessness of property developers because to change the face of the city would imply people’s property. He noted that to actualize his vision of restoring Port Harcourt to a modern city, he has commenced the search for an appropriate commissioner for Housing and urban development, to carry out the arduous task of effecting the corrective measure that would be required in the process.

According to the Governor, ‘there is nothing called Port Harcourt city again, everywhere you go, it is either a market or shop, so the person we are looking for will help us recover Port Harcourt because the present situation is an eye sore’’. The state chief executive reiterated his administration’s readiness to fight criminally in the state, nothing that when laws are implemented, it sends proper signal that anyone found guilty would face the law of the land.

He acknowledged that motorcyclists were used in perpetrating some criminal activities in the state but realizing the important role they play in the transport sector, they cannot be stopped from operation when alternative arrangement to cater for the people has not been made. Hon. Amaechi, therefore, urged Rivers people who are interested in transportation business to come forward to discuss with government officials to explore opportunities of utilizing the funds ready in the bank for the programmed, as the state government would facilities the process. Commenting on the delay in the issuance of certificate of occupancy, the governor said, his administration was working out a system that would streamline the process of issuing C of Os to make it faster, and check faking of documents because it was an avenue of government generation of revenue. The governor restated his determination to run an all inclusive Government.

Earlier, the Chairman Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, Mr. Emmanuel Aguna, had congratulated Governor Amaechi for his victory at the Supreme Court, pointing out that the victory was a clear testimony of the efficacy of the judiciary.