With the passage of The Prohibition of Curtailment of the Rights of Women to share in family property bill into law by the Rivers State House of Assembly, women can now share in their families properties.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani after the passage stressed the importance of passing bills that are implementable, adding that as democrats there is a need to ensure justice, equity, and fairness.
He further informed that the House has taken several steps to protect the rights of women as the government will always stand to defend women.
Speaker maintained that there is no reason women should not be treated equally and commended members and the sponsor of the bill for thinking through knowing that society has moved. He however disclosed that interpretation clause will ensure that definite interpretation be given to what constitutes community property.
Other members, including the lawmaker representing Okrika constituency Linda Somiari Stewart and his Abua/Odual counterpart Solomon Sokulu supported the bill saying that women have the right to be treated equally while commending the State government for intentionally empowering the women in the state.
The House also passed into law The Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshots Bill, 2022.
Reacting to the passage the Rt Hon Speaker said the right to life is important as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Meanwhile, Rivers State Climate Change Bill, 2022 has been referred to House Committee on Environment
The bill if passed into law is intended to provide framework for mainstreaming of climate change actions, provide for a system of carbon budgeting as well as establishment of the state council on climate change.
The bill which was co- sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Ikuinyi Ibani Owaji, Christian Ahiakwo and Dumle Maol was described by the Speaker as very important to the State while the House Committee Chairman on Environment, Dumle Maol opined that the state can take the lead to domesticate the climate change bill to enhance climate framework in the state.
Heritage Preservation Agency Bill 2022 was also presented on the floor of the House for consideration.
