The Rivers State Administration of Estate (small estate payments exemption) Bill 2023 and Public Works and Utilities Protection Amendment Bill 2023 has been passed into law by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The passage was sequel to submissions made by lawmakers at the committee of the whole.
The public Works and Utilities Protection Amendment Bill seeks to address the issue of vanderlism and destruction of public infrastructure.
According to the lawmakers who spoke in its favour, the law is meant to prevent the people from vanderlising government infrastructure while it is the responsibility of government to protect lives and properties.
On the Rivers State Administration of Estate (small estate payments exemption) Bill, lawmakers submitted that more stiffer punishment should be applied to deter offenders.
Deputy Speaker, Hon. Dumle Moal, Silvernus Nwankwo (Omuma) and Emelia Amadi (Obio/Akpor 2) advocated for a fine of N500,000 (five hundred thousand) and above .
Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule while presenting the reports from the committee of the whole, said members agreed that all existing status regarding punishment on perjury shall apply with additional fine of N500,0000 (five hundred thousand naira)
Meanwhile, for proper and effective overseeing of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Rivers State House of Assembly has constituted it’s standing committees, with the Lawmaker representing Bonny constituency Victor Oko- jumbo heading the House Committee on Information and Training.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule who announced the various committees and their chairmen relied on order 42 rule 2 to announce that the standing order committee of the House would be headed by him, adding that all chairmen of the standing committees were carefully selected.
He advised that the core values of the legislature should remain paramount as they carry out their respective functions.
