The Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday, at its sitting of the Second Session, read for the second time the Rivers State Commissions of Inquiry Bill, 2024; which is a Bill to repeal the Commissions of Inquiry Law, Cap 30, Laws of Rivers State, 1999, and to re-enact the Rivers State Commissions of Inquiry Law for the holding of Commissions of Inquiry and for other matters connected thereto.
Leading the debate on the Bill, Hon.Sylvanus Nwankwo, highlighted the necessity for the re-enactment of the Commissions of Inquiry Law, stressing that it is imperative that obsolete laws are repealed and re-enacted to reflect current democratic realities.
Meia aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu made this known in a statement on Monday.
Commenting on the Bill, the Speaker, Rt.Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule stated that what the Bill seeks to do is to ensure that there is a tripartite engagement between the Governor, the Assembly and the Commissions to be set up, so that powers donated by the Assembly are not abused by any individual.
Rt. Hon. Amaewhule maintained that by virtue of the provisions of Sections 128 and 129 of the I999 Constitution as amended, the Assembly is imbued with the power of investigation on any matter within the Legislative competence of the House; adding that such powers are donations to the Governor or Commissions in legislations like this, and must be strictly followed.
The Bill was subsequently committed to the House Committee on Judiciary for further Legislative scrutiny.
Monday, 25 November, 2024.
