Rivers Assembly Commiserates With Families Of Victims Of Andoni Boat Mishap, Commits Two Bills To Committees

At its 9Ist Legislative Sitting, Thursday, the Rivers State House of Assembly observed a minute silence in honor of victims of a boat mishap which occured on Tuesday in Andoni Local Government Area of the State.

Speaking on the unfortunate incident, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, commiserated with families of victims of the boat mishap and pledged that the House would support the families with a token of two million Naira.

On the Orders of the Day, the House debated on the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Law (Amendment) Bill after giving Second Reading to the Bill, which seeks to amend Sections 4(1), 13(3),16(3) and 17 of the Principal Law that would subject the implementation of those sections to a resolution of the House when passed.

Remarking on the debate, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amaewhule, enthused that the purport of the amendment is to preserve the traditional institution and insulate it from arbitral recognition, withdrawal of recognition and suspension of traditional rulers.

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The Bill was referred to the House Committee on Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, and the committee is expected to submit its Report within two weeks.

Commenting on the Bill, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule averred that the rationale for the repeal of the Bill is anchored on the hard economic realities of the time, noting that the Tenth Assembly is focused on reducing the burden of the people by giving them access to government owned facilities without paying heavily for it.

The Bill was referred to the House Committee on Urban Development for further legislative scrutiny; and to submit its Report within two weeks.