Rivers Assembly Threatens to Order Amaechi’s Aides Arrest

The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday warned that it would be compelled to issue a warrant of arrest on government officials, including commissioners, who refused to honour its invitation.

The assembly issued this warning following the absence of some top government officials, who were on Monday summoned to appeared before the assembly yesterday.

It warned government appointees not to test its strength and expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of five of the nine commissioners and other officials summoned to the assembly’s sitting.

The state lawmakers had summoned the Commissioners for Information, Finance, Tourism, Health, Power, Works, Agriculture, Budget and Transport to explain the truth about the state’s unpaid salaries and the state’s economy.

Also, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), summoned by the assembly, are the AccountantGeneral, Chairmen of Board of Internal Revenue, Rivers State Assembly Service Commission and Secondary School Management Board.

At its sitting yesterday, only four out of the 13 top government officials (nine commissioners and four board chairmen) honoured the House invitation.

The commissioners that honoured the invitation are George Tolofari (Transport); Austine Wokocha (Power), and Tamuno Gogo (Budegt and Planning), as well as the Chairman, Rivers State Assembly Service Commission, Ombo Princewill.

The lawmakers debated on whether to throw questions at the three commissioners or adjourn sitting to Thursday, when the commissioners promised to be available.

Speaking during yesterday’s sitting, the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Leyii Kwanee, who presided over the House, said he would continue to do whatever would bring smiles to the faces of the people of the state, adding that members would be remembered for what they did as lawmakers.

Kwanee said, “Whatever I need to do to strengthen our democracy and put smiles on the faces of our people, I will do it. We will be remembered for what we did as lawmakers.

“Nobody should attempt to try the will of the House. No matter how short the days are, we will continue to make laws until May 29, 2015 and nobody can intimidate this House.”

He cautioned that the House would not tolerate the absence of any of the commissioners and other government officials summoned to the Assembly.