Fubara, Wike Assembly factions hold parallel public hearings

Rival factions of the Rivers State House of Assembly have held separate public hearings on different bills.

Martin Amaewhule leads the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while Victor Oko-Jumbo is the Speaker of the House loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The  Oko-Jumbo-led faction held a public hearing on the Rivers Emergen Management Agency Bill 2024 on Tuesday, August 20, while the Martin Amaewhule-led faction did a public hearing on the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill, 2024, on Wednesday, August 21.

The Electricity Market Bill seeks to repeal the existing Rivers State Electricity and Gas Board Law and establish a new framework for electricity supply, generation, transmission, and distribution within the state.

The parallel public hearings have deepened divisions in the two camps of the Assembly, leaving residents wondering.

For the Oko -umbo faction, Deputy Speaker, Timothy Orubienimigha, said their Assembly was set to create robust laws that would guide the state.

 Orubienimigha, while speaking at the public hearing,  emphasised the importance of the bill, which he said was aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework for effective emergency management and mitigation in the state.

He assured participants that their input would be considered, stating, “Your contributions are crucial in shaping this bill.”

Stakeholders at the hearing commended the Assembly for the initiative, noting that the bill was timely, especially with the increasing severity of rainfall and associated emergencies.

Meanwhile, the Amaewhule faction also held a public hearing on Wednesday on the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill, 2024.

Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Franklin Nwabochi, explained that electric power was previously the exclusive domain of the Federal Government but it is now a concurrent responsibility under the 1999 Constitution.

Nwabochi said the bill, sponsored by the Speaker, Amaewhule, seeks to establish the Rivers State Electricity Commission to enforce consumer rights and obligations, aligning with the new constitutional order.

Amaewhule, declared open a public hearing on the Electricity Market Bill, 2024, emphasising the importance of stakeholders’ input in the law-making process.

The pro-Wike Speaker highlighted the need for a legal framework to guide investment in the power sector, now that it falls under the Concurrent Legislative List.

Commenting on the bill on behalf of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, the former Rivers ALGON chairman, Allwell Ihunda, described the bill as people-oriented.