Enforce discipline in legislative services, Fubara charges new Rivers assembly commission

The Rivers state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly sworn-in chairman and members of the State House of Assembly Service Commission, to achieve greater productivity, promote highest standard and insist on best practices in the discharge of legislative services.

Governor Fubara also urged them to ensure that parliamentary staffers were put through disciplinary conducts in the discharge of their duties.

The governor gave the charge shortly after the chairman and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Service Commission were sworn-in at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

The governor also swore-in the chairman and members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission.

Hon Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, is the chairman of RSHA, with Dr Kennedy Ebeku, Hon. Soberekon Clark, Hon. Jones Ogbonda, and Hon Kingston Sylvanus as members.

For the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Hon Goodlife Ben will serve as the chairman, with Chief Emmanuel G. Jaja, Ms. Betty Warmate, Barrister Jerome Chimenem, Hon Prince O. Ohochukwu, Barrister Philip Okparaji, and Christian Amadi, as members.

Fubara explained that the constitution and swearing-in of the respective commissions were delayed with the hope that all former members of the political block would come back together but quickly added that such expectation was dashed, insisting that governance had to move on.

He said: “As it stands now, our position is very clear. The ship that we are onboard is clear, and the activities of governance have to continue. 

“So, this swearing-in is to give these two units of government – particularly, the House of Assembly Service Commission, a formal commission so that you can start carrying out the activities of promotion, discipline and every other thing that has to do with the legislative staff activity.”

Governor Fubara emphasised: “This assignment is not business as usual. You have to take full charge, and you have to ensure that there is discipline in the service.”

Speaking on the Local Government Service Commission, Governor Fubara said an acting Chairman was previously appointed to hold brief while the situation was being studied but quickly added that as it stood, a full fledged commission had to be constituted to steer affairs.

The governor stated that the various local government councils had been mandated to commence payment of the N85,000.00 minimum wage to their workers.