The Rivers State House of Assembly has successfully enacted the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Service Commission Law, overriding the veto of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Lawmakers in the state passed a Bill to repeal the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission Amendment Law No. 3 of 2006 and further amend the Principal Law of 1999, along with other related matters. Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule explained that the aim of the Bill is to provide staff of the Assembly with opportunities for career growth similar to their counterparts in the other branches of government.
He highlighted that the authority of the Assembly to appoint the Chairman and Members of the Assembly Service Commission, as stipulated in the 1999 Principal Law, was revoked and transferred to the Executive through the 2006 amendment. Hence, the repeal of the 2006 Amendment Law is intended to reinforce the independence of the Legislature.
During an impromptu session on Friday, March 22, the Rivers State House of Assembly voted against Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s veto to pass the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Service Commission Law.