The factional Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule has declared the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency recently established by Governor Siminalayi Fubara as illegal.
The House, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also stated that all appointments made by the governor for the agency’s board are not recognized by the law.
During a sitting at the Assembly’s official quarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the House emphasized that there is no legislation permitting the creation of the agency, as no communication regarding this matter was sent to the house.
A statement issued by the media aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, and distributed to the press, conveyed these sentiments.
The House’s reaction followed comments made by the Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce and Industry, Gerald Oforji, who presented a report on the ‘purported’ inauguration of the Board of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency by Governor Fubara.
The committee’s report highlighted that while such an agency, if properly established, could foster a favorable environment for attracting and nurturing businesses in the State, there is no known law within the Rivers State House of Assembly that establishes such an agency.
The statement explained, “The Committee emphasized that if such a law existed, the nominated individuals would have undergone confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Based on the Committee’s findings, Honorable Members discussed the Report, noting that the Governor’s actions have disregarded governance ethics.”
Speaker Martin Amaewhule criticized the governor’s decision to appoint individuals to an agency that lacks legal backing in the state.
Amaewhule questioned why Fubara continues to defy existing laws and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, despite knowing that such actions constitute misconduct. He stressed that these violations will be addressed appropriately.
