….Promises Good Legislative Agenda
Rt. Hon. Ikwuiyi Owaji Ibani has emerged as the Speaker for a second term to serve in the 9th Assembly while the lawmaker representing Ahoada East constituency 2 Edison Ehie is to serve as his Deputy .
This followed various nominations by lawmakers at the first session of the 9th Assembly shortly after it was inaugurated by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Lawmaker representing ONELGA constituency 1, Christian Ahiakwo while nominating Ikwuiyi Ibani described him as a stabilizer and astute politician who is vast in legislative business.
Speaker Ikwuiyi Owaji Ibani while making his acceptance speech thanked Governor Wike for rising up to the occasion of inaugurating the 9th Assembly and for the confidence reposed on him and also his colleagues for voting him as their speaker adding that he needs their support to succeed.
The oldest legislator who made his first entrance into the blue chamber in 2007 and served as the Chief Whip in the 7th Assembly promised a participatory leadership and advised members to shun pursuit of personal interests and put the matters of the state first.
Expressing hope that the 9th Assembly would be better than the 8th Hon. Ibani promised to set a legislative agenda that will ensure even development of the state and also the security of lives and properties of Rivers people and residents.
Earlier, Rivers Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike while proclaiming the 9th Rivers State House of Assembly, urged the lawmakers to put in place effective legislations and initiate policies that would put the state on the part of growth and prosperity.
He enjoined them to strive hard with total commitment by facilitating government policies and programmes to enable the executive set new bench mark for development of the state, while pointing out his determination to complete all ongoing projects in the state and provide world class health facilities, revitalize agriculture, deliver quality education as well as promote socio-economic development of the state and appealed for the partnership of the lawmakers to achieve set objectives.
Governor Wike lauded the dignified and matured manner in which the State House of Assembly had been known in the conduct of her businesses since its inception and asked the new lawmakers to sustain the tempo while realizing that their responsibility is to make laws that will be beneficial to the people of the state and effective representation of the people.
The chief executive further promised to continue to respect the independence of the legislature as well as provide every support needed to enable lawmakers discharge their constitutional responsibilities to the Government and people of the State.
The 9th Assembly is made up of 30 members elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 2 members elected on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP).
