Governor Wike gives assent to five bills passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly

In furtherance of good governance  in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike  on Thursday signed five bills passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly  into law.

The bills signed into law by the governor  include: Rivers State Education  (Return of Schools) Amendment Number 1 Law, Number 1 of 2017,Rivers State Honours Law Number 2 of 2017, Rivers State Reserve Fund (Repeal) Law Number 3 of 2017, Rivers State University Law Number 4 of 2017 and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital Law Number 5 of 2017.

Speaking  after giving his assent to the five bills, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike lauded the State House of Assembly for its commitment  to  the rapid development of the state.

He said that the Return of School  law was vital because  it permits the State Government  to intervene  in mission schools already returned  to their owners.

The governor  said that the bill will help in the sustenance  of the  quality of education  in mission schools returned by the State Government to their  previous owners.

He explained that the Rivers State Reserve Fund (Repeal) Law Number 3 of 2017 became necessary  as the law was no longer  relevant  following the financial  recklessness  of the immediate past APC administration in the state.

According to Governor Wike, that administration refused to respect  the law as it indiscriminately withdrew funds from the fund meant for the future.

He said: "Between February 12, 2014 and May 27, 2015, they (immediate past APC administration in the state) withdrew N53billion from the fund without  passing through  due process.

"The State is today suffering  from the financial recklessness  of that administration as it squandered state resources through illegal withdrawals".

He added that the Rivers State University Law Number 4 of 2017 was done to avert the loss of accreditation  of  several courses by the University  following  recent regulations by the National Universities Commission.

Earlier, presenting the five bills to the Governor, Majority  Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule said that the House of Assembly passed the five bills  because of their commitment  to the development programmes of the state government.

In his remarks, Speaker of the Rivers State  House of Assembly, Mr Ikunyi Ibani said the Assembly will always  put up its best in the interest of the state.

He commended the governor for his outstanding achievements, which has been complemented by the State Assembly.

Simeon Nwakaudu
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.
13th April, 2017.