Rivers Assembly Confirms Commission Members, Advances Real Estate Bill, Considers Iloma, Bukuma Oil Spills

The Rivers State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed the Chairmen and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission, as well as the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission.

The screening and confirmation took place during the Assembly’s regular sitting on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The confirmation followed a request from the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, which was presented to the Assembly by Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo.

During the process, former Assembly members nominated to the Assembly Service Commission were asked to take a bow and go, while other nominees underwent screening before being unanimously confirmed by the House.

THE NOMINEES

The confirmed members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission include: Tamunosisi Jaja, as Chairman, and Kennedy Ebeku, Soberekon Clark, Jones Ogbonda, and Kingston Sylvanus as members.

For the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, the confirmed nominees are GoodLife Ben nominated as Chairman, Emmanuel Jaja, Betty Warmate, Jerome Chimenem, Prince Ohochukwu, Philip Okparaji, and Christian Amadi, as members.

Following the confirmations, Oko-Jumbo reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to the progress of the State, stating that the House would “collaborate with positive moves of the executive arm of government for the furtherance, development, welfare, and prosperity of Rivers State”.

He urged the appointees to use their experience to drive progress in their respective roles.

In legislative business, the Real Estate Regulatory Authority Bill 2024 sponsored by House Leader, Goodboy Sokari progressed to second reading and was referred to the Committee on Lands and Housing, with a directive to report back within 14 days.

Additionally, the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions, led by Goodboy Sokari, briefed the Assembly on the Iloma Oil Spillage in Bonny, describing the scene as “a gory and pathetic sight to behold”.

The committee commended the support of the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Anengi Claude-Wilcox, and requested an extension to present a more detailed report, which was granted.

Other matters included the presentation of a petition on an oil spill in Bukuma, Degema LGA, and the deployment of a new Deputy Clerk, Joyce Omenihu.

The House adjourned until Monday, February 17, 2025.