The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has made a firm call for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to promptly submit the medium-term expenditure framework and the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the legislative body.
In a session held at the Assembly’s quarters along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, the 25 lawmakers highlighted the importance of receiving these crucial financial documents.
They expressed concern over the delayed submission of the state’s audited account by the Public Accounts Committee, leading to discussions on the matter during the assembly’s proceedings.
Following deliberations and explanations provided by the committee, Speaker Amaewhule granted an additional three weeks to ensure a comprehensive review of the accounts, emphasizing the significance of adherence to constitutional provisions in presenting the state accounts to the assembly.
Furthermore, the legislators resolved to notify Governor Fubara about their planned recess, aiming to synchronize it with his schedule for better alignment and cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of the state government.
According to Martins Wachukwu, the Speaker’s media aide, the House also conducted the first reading of two significant bills – the Traditional Rulers Law (amendment) bill and the Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State-owned Property (Prohibition) Law repeal bill.
These bills, sponsored by key members, aim to adapt existing laws to current realities and repeal obsolete regulations concerning advertisement and property use.
Speaker Amaewhule underscored the constitutional mandate of the State House of Assembly to receive audited state accounts, urging the Public Accounts Committee to investigate the delay in receiving the 2022 audited account from the State Auditor-General.
The statement highlighted the unanimous agreement among members to write to Governor Fubara, notifying him of the delay in presenting the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the 2024 Appropriation Bill in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Recalling recent events, Governor Fubara had previously signed the N800 billion 2024 Appropriation Bill into law after presenting it to a faction of the State House of Assembly led by Edison Ehie. However, in a bid to address the political crisis, an agreement reached during a peace meeting, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, stipulated that the governor would re-present the budget proposal properly to the House, following Ehie’s resignation from the factional Speaker’s position.
