Pro-Wike Assembly Criticizes Fubara Over New Investment Agency
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has declared the recent establishment of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency by Governor Siminalayi Fubara as illegal. The House, which is aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also asserted that all appointments made by the governor to the agency’s board were not legally recognized.
During its 41st sitting in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the Assembly stated that there is no law permitting the creation of such an agency, nor had any official communication been made to the House regarding its establishment. This position was reinforced by a statement issued by Martins Wachukwu, the media aide to the Speaker.
The issue came to the forefront following remarks by Gerald Oforji, Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce and Industry, who presented a report on what he described as the “purported” inauguration of the Board of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency by Governor Fubara. While the committee acknowledged that a properly established agency could help attract and grow businesses in the state, it highlighted the lack of legal backing for the agency, as no law had been passed by the House to support its creation.
The committee further noted that if such a law existed, the appointments made by the governor would have required confirmation by the House. Members of the Assembly echoed these concerns, criticizing the governor for neglecting the established legal process. Speaker Amaewhule condemned the governor’s actions, stating that appointing individuals to an agency without legislative approval undermines governance standards in the state.
The Assembly also referenced previous instances where Governor Fubara made appointments, including to the Board of the Bureau for Public Procurement, without adhering to legal protocols. After putting the matter to a vote, the House unanimously condemned the governor’s actions, declaring them illegal and raising questions about their validity.
