…Organizes Workshop For Members
The leadership of Rivers State House of Assembly has re-iterated its commitment to serve the people selflessly.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule disclosed this in his welcome address during the 2 day orientation and workshop programme organized for Honourable members and Principal officers of the 10th Assembly at the banquet hall of the Presidential hotel Port Harcourt.
He called on members to work hand in hand with him to make the 10th Assembly a success hinting that the essence of the orientation was to take lawmakers, especially the newly elected ones through the key areas that would help them perform their legislative duties effectively.
The Speaker also said the workshop would enable them know how best to deliver on their promises as well as the dividends of democracy to the people
Declaring the workshop open, the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party Ambassador Desmond Akawo urged lawmakers to be proactive and not reactive to the aspiration of the people.
Amb. Akawor advised them to be in regular connection with their constituents through consistent engagement which according to him would strengthen the bond between them and further deepen the ever growing democratic system in the State.
In his keynote address, the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda encouraged the lawmakers to protect the legislative arm, thereby protecting the democracy of the State.
He advised them to portray only the things that would bind them together and also be selfless in carrying out their legislative duties and expressed conviction that they would make a difference by being selfless.
On his part, Dr Anthony Egobueze while delivering his paper titled “Conduct of Business in the Legislative Chamber: Procedure, Ethics and Rules” maintained the present rules and standing order used by the Assembly is obsolete adding that it was constituted since 1999.
He asked the 10th Assembly to review it so as to have rules and ethics that will be in line with the current realities on ground.
Other papers delivered at the workshop are “Committee System And Oversight Functions Of Legislature “by Professor Omenihu Chiemeka Nworgu and “Powers And Duties of The Legislature Under The Constitution Of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999” by Professor Okene.
