Rivers
RVHA Elects Leader, Other Principal Officers …Speaker Assures Staff Of Better Welfare
The Rivers State House of Assembly has elected the former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Edison Ehie, as the Leader of the 10th Assembly.
Also elected along with him are Linda Somiari Stewart of Okrika Constituency (Deputy Leader), while Major Jack of Akuku-Toru Constituency 1 (Chief Whip), and Ofiks Kagbang Christopher of Andoni Constituency, who is the new Deputy Whip.
The election of principal officers of the House followed a call for nomination by the Speaker, Rt.Hon. Martin Amaewhule, Wednesday, on the floor of the House.
Ehie was nominated by the lawmaker representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, Lolo Isaiah, and was seconded by Hon. Azeru Opara of PHALGA Constituency 3, while Edison Ehie of Ahoada East Constituency 2 nominated Linda Somiari Stewart to serve as Deputy Leader, and was seconded by Dunebari Lolo of Khana Constituency 1.
For the position of the Chief Whip, Enemi Alabo George of Asari-Toru Constituency 1 made the nomination and was seconded by Linda Stewart, while Ofiks Kagbang Christopher was nominated by Azeru Opara and Lolo Isaiah.
Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, at the end of the election congratulated the elected members while urging them to work in harmony for a proper representation of the people.
The leader of the House, Hon. Ehie moved the motion for the adoption of the standing order of the 9th Assembly. The motion was seconded by the Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Stewart, and the House subsequently adopted the standing order for the 10th Assembly.
Earlier, the Speaker had informed the legislators that the Head of Estate and Works will allocate offices and Houses to members.
He urged the legislators to cooperate with one another for peaceful deliberation in the House, before the House adjoured its sitting to 19th of June.
Meanwhile, the new Speaker has assured that the welfare of staff would be paramount during his tenure as Speaker.
He gave the assurance when he met with staff of the Assembly.
Amaewhule also assured of his determination and commitment to make things better, move the Assembly to an enviable height, while soliciting for the support of the staff.
He assured regularly meeting with the union leaders with a view to being abreast of their challenges, but cautioned against truancy and urged them to sit up.
On her part, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Staff association of Nigeria in Rivers State, Comfort Otuene, assured of the support of the staff to the tenure of the Speaker and wished him well.
By: Ike Wigodo