Rivers lawmakers have condemned lack of training for legislators throughout the duration of the 8th Assembly.
They made the condemnation during the valedictory session held to round off the 8th Assembly.
The valedictory session which was full of emotional speeches was an opportunity for legislators to bare their minds with all sense of sincerity while recounting their activities and calling for improvement of their poorly performed activities by the 9th or the incoming Assembly.
The lawmakers expressed worry that Training which is very important to the development of the Legislature, as legislators need to be empowered through training and retraining and was neglected throughout the duration of the 8th Assembly and advised that it should be put on the front burner by the 9th Assembly.
Maintaining that the 8th Assembly witnessed zero training, they blamed the leadership for failing to train the members of the Legislature who were predominantly first timers, adding that legislators need to be empowered through training and retraining since half baked legislators will amount to churning out half baked laws.
They also regretted that the 8th Assembly did not encourage private member bills as most of the bills proposed by members did not see the light of the day and called for the amendment of the House Order by the 9th Assembly to enable it be in consonance with global practices.
In his valedictory speech, the member who represented Eleme Constituency, Hon. Josiah Olu, and his Khana Constituency counterpart Hon. Friday Nkee maintained that the Speaker was not nice to the members of the opposition stating that ” injustice is when you treat equals unequally” and prayed for the incoming Assembly to improve on fairness, training and social networking.
The outgoing lawmakers including the Deputy Speaker Marshall Uwom, Minority Leader Benebo Fredrick Anabraba, member representing Okrika constituency Adams Dabotoru Dima and Eleme Constituency, Josiah Olu thanked the people of their constituencies for giving them the opportunity to serve while noting that the 8th Assembly rose to its responsibility to ensure effective judicial system in the State.
Some of the returning lawmakers including Majority Leader Martin Amaewhule, Whip Evans Bipi, Michael Chinda of Obio/Apkor 2 and kelechi Nwogu of Omuma had described the 8th Assembly as a journey and prayed that their colleagues who were not returning to the hallowed chamber do find better things to do especially since life is to be loved and not squandered.
Speaker Ikwuiyi Owaji Ibani at the end of their speeches maintained that he treated everyone equally and did Justice to all. He also said that he improved on what ever he inherited as a Speaker and attributed the achievements of the 8th Assembly to the Contributions of the members.
He thanked members for standing by him saying that the 8th Assembly supported the Executive arm to deliver dividends of democracy to the state.
Meanwhile, The Rivers State Environmental Protection and Management Bill 2018 and Rivers State Health Care Facility Registration Bill 2018 were passed into law before the commencement of the valedictory session.
