Rivers crisis: Pro-Fubara, Wike Assembly factions hold separate public hearings

Rival factions of the Rivers State House of Assembly 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 Emergency Management Agency Bill 2024 on Tuesday, 20 August 2024, while the Amaewhule-led faction held a public hearing on the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill 2024 on Wednesday, 21 August.

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 within the two camps of the State House of Assembly, leaving residents concerned.

For the Oko-Jumbo faction, Deputy Speaker Timothy Orubienimigha said their Assembly is set to create robust laws to guide the state.

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

He assured participants that their inputs 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 is timely, especially with the increasing severity of rainfall and associated emergencies.

The bill seeks to create a robust system for emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, minimising the impact of disasters on communities.

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

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

Amaewhule said the hearing provides a platform for the public to share their views and opinions on the proposed legislation, which aims to boost power supply in the state and attract investment in the electricity sector.

The pro-Wike Speaker reiterated the commitment of the 10th Assembly to enact high-impact laws that positively affect the people of the state.