Separate public hearings on various bills were conducted by competing factions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Martin Amaewhule leads the faction aligned with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, while Victor Oko-Jumbo heads the faction supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The faction led by Oko-Jumbo organized a public hearing for the Rivers Emergency Management Agency Bill 2024 on Tuesday, 20 August 2024. On the other hand, the Amaewhule-led faction held a public hearing for the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill 2024 on Wednesday, 21 August.
The objective of the Electricity Market Bill is to revoke the current Rivers State Electricity and Gas Board Law and establish a new framework regulating electricity supply, generation, transmission, and distribution within the state.
These simultaneous public hearings have widened the gap between the two factions of the State House of Assembly, causing concern among the residents.
Deputy Speaker Timothy Orubienimigha of the Oko-Jumbo faction expressed their Assembly’s commitment to crafting comprehensive laws for governing the state.
At the public hearing, Orubienimigha stressed the significance of the bill, which aims to establish a detailed framework for efficient emergency management and mitigation in the state.
He reassured participants that their feedback would be taken into account, stating, “Your contributions are vital in shaping this bill.”
Stakeholders at the hearing praised the Assembly for taking the initiative, acknowledging the timeliness of the bill, especially with the rising severity of rainfall and related emergencies.
The bill’s goal is to establish a strong system for preparing for emergencies, responding to them, and recovering from them, thus reducing the impact of disasters on communities.
Meanwhile, Franklin Nwabochi, Chairman of the House Committee on Power for the Amaewhule faction, clarified that electric power was previously solely under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government but is now a shared responsibility as per the 1999 Constitution.
Nwabochi explained that the bill, sponsored by Amaewhule, aims to create the Rivers State Electricity Commission to enforce consumer rights and obligations, aligning with the updated constitutional order.
Amaewhule highlighted that the hearing provides a platform for the public to express their perspectives and thoughts on the proposed legislation, designed to enhance power supply in the state and attract investments in the electricity sector.
The pro-Wike Speaker reiterated the 10th Assembly’s dedication to enacting impactful laws beneficial to the people of the state.