Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has signed into law two bills passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly for the good governance of the state.
The two laws are: The Rivers State Local Government (amendment No.1) Law Number 5 of 2016 and the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice No. 7 of 2015
Speaking at the event on Saturday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated that the new Local Government Law will give the governor the leverage to extend the appointments of the caretaker committees up to nine months.
He said that the extension of the tenure of the caretaker committees is aimed at ensuring stability in council administration.
According to him, the criticism that the new law gives some caretaker committee chairmen third tenure is unfounded as the caretaker committees are not elected officials.
He said: “Instead of three months or six months, this amended law allows the governor to appoint caretaker committees for nine months.
“It is not meant to keep the caretaker committees in perpetuity. Once we have elected councils, the elected officials will stay for three years subject and for a maximum of two terms “.
He added: “Those in the APC who are criticizing this amendment have forgotten so soon that they passed laws in two minutes while they were at the State Assembly. This amendment has been done for the good governance of the state “.
Commenting on the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice No. 7 of 2015, Governor Wike said it will help the state to fight crime and maintain law and order.
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Dabo Adams assured that the House will continue to perform her duties for the good governance of the state.
Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule said the lawmakers passed the laws given their importance to the state.