The words of former United States Congressman, Senator Evereth Dirkson that  “congress is like a water logged scow, it doesn’t go too far, it does’t go too fast, but it doesn’t sink” aptly describes, the 2011 record of the 7th Rivers State House of Assembly.

When the 7th Rivers State House of Assembly was inaugurated by the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi in may 2011, the Speaker Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree assured a significant improvement on the achievements of the 6th Assembly.

With the timing of the 2011 general elections deciding the legislative session, it became apparent that the Assembly had barely seven months to make its impact for the legislative year.

Mapping out identified areas of weakenesses became paramount as the Assembly prepared to commence its legislative duties.

A major concern in this regard was the fact that over 70% of lawmakers that formed the 7th Assembly were first timers with no pedigree of legislative experience.

This development placed the 7th Assembly on a delicate stand, especially in view of its promises of a significant breakthrough from the previous Assembly.

Rivers people watched the 7th Assembly with great expectations, as it commenced legislative business, and with the 2011 legislative year ended, an appraisal of the legislative year against the promises of effective legislation became necessary.

Barely few days after its inauguration, the7th Rivers State House of Assembly was confronted with what appeared as its first litmus test, which was to give approval to a loan request of N100bn from Guarantee Trust Bank, by the Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.

The Assembly granted the loan request and became the butt of public criticism. Many critics, saw what they considered ‘hasty’ approval by the Assembly as a disservice, and branded the Assembly as an appendage of  executive decisions or, simply doing its biddings without recourse to thorough legislative debates.

The subsequent approval by the Assembly to the executive’s request of securing, N200bn bond from the capital market, swelled the criticisms of pundits and opposition who threw aspersion on the Assembly with utmost indignation.

But the  State’s House of Assembly rose to the occasion in defence of its actions, arguing that the purpose of acquiring the loans and bonds was convincing as it was meant to carry out projects in the state.

The Assembly also assured that it will exert proper oversight to ensure that all money sought as loan or bond is judiciously administered for specific projects, and all such monies paid back by the same administration that borrowed it.

Determined to beat a debt trap in Rivers State and to allay the fears of the public over the tendency of abuse of funds acquired through bonds and loans, Leader of the Assembly Hon. Chidi Lloyd sponsored a bill seeking the establishment of a Debt Management office in Rivers State.

The Debt management Office bill, was the first privately sponsored bill on the floor of the House.

For effective deliberation, planning and utilisation of Personnel, the Assembly organised a one week legislative retreat for training of lawmakers at Tinapa, Cross River State.

The retreat which was flagged off by the Rivers State Governor, was a follow up to the demands by fresh lawmakers to get proper legislative training to boost their performance in the House.

The Speaker also approved funds for training of legislative staff, under the supervision of the Clerk of the Assembly, Sir Emmanuel Ogele.

The aim of the training, according to the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree  “is to add impetus to legislative process of the Assembly”.

During the year under review, three new bills passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly were signed into law by the executive Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.

Out of the three bills, two were executive bills which included Rivers State Tourism Development Agency Bill and the State Bond and other debts security issuance Bill, while the Rivers State Debt management Bill was privately sponsored. All the bills passed into law passed through public hearing and stakeholders input.

The House, however, deferred debate on the fourth bill in line, the local Government amendment bill, after a committee report was submitted by  its chairman Hon. Lucky Odili.

The deferment was to give room for proper perusal of the report by the lawmakers.

With the signing of the bills into law, and the over 11 motions moved by the lawmakers on the floor of the House, many analysts believe that the 7th Assembly has performed considerably well.

Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi while signing the bills into law also commended the Assembly for displaying faith in the ability to carry out the business of legislation for the interest of the state. The Governor said the various laws when put into practice will strengthen the economic base of the state.

The public hearings were a critical aspect of legislative duties that stimulated public interest. Most critical among the various hearings conducted by the Assembly within the period under review was the one conducted by the House Committee on education headed by Hon. Augustine Ngo.

The public hearing opened cans of worms on the institutional mailaise in the premier University of Science and Technology. Also of great public concern was the public hearing organised by the Committee on local Government which called for review of local Governments, including that organised by the Committee on SSG, HOS, establishment which called for a review of Rivers State Pension Scheme in line with a more harmonised pension regime.

While many critics of the Assembly describe its posture within the period under review as indifferent, the Speaker  of the Assembly Hon. Otelemaba Amachree proved such pundits wrong. During the presentation of the 2012 budget on the floor of the Assembly, the Speaker asserted the independence of the legislature when he engaged the Governor in a tough-talking session, drawing his attention to some critical areas of development in the state.

The Speaker said, while the legislature had always approved all budgets presented to it, “implementation had always become problem”. The Speaker expressed worry over the ongoing Monorail project, among others and called on the Governor to complete all projects embarked upon by his administration, especially some on-going road projects in deplorable condition.

The Speaker also tasked the executive on the need to ensure that qualified contractors are engaged in project execution for effective delivery of services, and promised that the Assembly will also monitor ongoing projects through its oversight functions.

Further deliberations and debates on the 2012 Appropriation Bill was suspended following the adjournment of the House to  January 10, 2012.

Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Otelemaba Amaechree had earlier promised a speedy passage of the appropriation bill to fast track development in the state.

Thats how The Tide saw the Rivers State House of Assembly last year.

Taneh Beemene