The Rivers State House of Assembly has given First Reading to the Rivers State Climate Change Bill, 2025, signaling a renewed push to address environmental challenges in the state.
The bill, sponsored jointly by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, and the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol, was introduced during the Assembly’s 20th Legislative Sitting on Friday. It seeks to mainstream climate change actions, establish the State Council on Climate Change, and provide a legal framework for related environmental interventions.
Presenting the bill, Deputy Speaker Maol said the proposed legislation would significantly strengthen efforts to combat climate change impacts across the state.
Speaker Amaewhule called on lawmakers to thoroughly examine the bill ahead of a competitive debate slated for the next legislative session.
In the same sitting, the Speaker referred two petitions involving Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and Heirs Energies to the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions for investigation and subsequent reporting to the Assembly.
