According to Punch, the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, which was recently founded by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has been ruled unlawful by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly. The Assembly, which aligns with Minister Nyesom Wike, argued that all appointments made by the governor in connection with this board are unlawful.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
During a session held at the Assembly’s official quarters in Port Harcourt, the House stated that there was no existing law authorizing the creation of such an agency.
They said that there had been no communication to the House regarding the establishment of the agency.
This stance followed remarks by Gerald Oforji, Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce and Industry, who reported on what he referred to as the ‘purported’ inauguration of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency Board by Governor Fubara.
The committee’s report acknowledged that a properly established agency could foster a favorable business environment but lamented the lack of legal grounding for the agency.
The report from the committee indicated that if a law existed, the nominees for the agency would have required confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The statement read, “The Committee maintained that if such law exists, the individuals so nominated would have been subjected to the confirmation of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Relying on the findings of the Committee, Hon. Members commented on the Report, pointing out that the Governor in the exercise of his powers has relegated decency in governance to the background.”
Speaker Martin Amaewhule condemned the governor’s decision to appoint individuals to an agency not recognized by state legislation.
He expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate disregard for existing laws and the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
Amaewhule emphasized that such actions by the governor amount to misconduct and affirmed that the Assembly would address these legal violations appropriately.
He questioned why Governor Fubara would continue to act against established laws, stressing that such infractions are unacceptable.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
