In a bold move showcasing its legislative autonomy, the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly defied Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s veto and signed into law the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024, on Monday.
Originally passed by the Amaewhule-led Assembly on March 26, 2024, the bill was ignored by Governor Fubara, who refused to sign it into law.
However, emphasising the importance of securing taxpayers’ money and preventing its misuse, the Amaewhule-led Assembly rallied behind the bill’s objectives during debates led by Majority Leader, Major Jack and Amaewhule.
Amaewhule criticised the governor’s reluctance to adhere to due process and warned of potential repercussions if such behaviour persists.
In a statement made available to journalists and signed by the senior adviser to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, the Assembly’s decision to enact the bill into law, backed by a two-thirds majority vote as mandated by the constitution, signals a resolute stance against executive overreach and a commitment to legislative oversight.
According to the statement: “Thereafter, the House, in accordance with the provisions of Section 100 (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered, voted, and with a two-thirds majority vote, passed the bill into law.”
In addition to the passage of the Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, the Amaewhule-led Assembly addressed pressing issues within the state’s local government system, with Hon. Ignatius Onwuka highlighting the plight of Emohua Local Government Council staff, who have endured months without pay due to administrative irregularities sanctioned by the governor.
The lawmakers also introduced key bills aimed at enhancing the state’s energy sector and streamlining local governance.
The statement said: “Also on Monday, the House gave First Reading to the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill, 2024, sponsored by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule.
“It is a bill for a law to repeal the Rivers State Electricity and Gas Board Law CAP 50, Laws of Rivers State, 1999 and to enact the Rivers State Electricity Market Law to provide for electricity supply, its power generation, transmission and distribution within Rivers State, to establish the Rivers State Electricity Commission for the enforcement of consumers’ rights and obligations, and for connected purposes.
“Similarly, the Rivers State Local Government (Consolidation) Bill, 2024, was presented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol, and read for the first time. The bill seeks to consolidate all the local government laws in the state for ease of reference.”