The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council has expressed dismay over the disqualification of some Commissioner nominees by the state House of Assembly because of personal opinions they expressed in the media before their nomination.
The council’s disapproval which was contained in an eight-point communiqué issued at the end of its congress held on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, viewed the disqualification as a violation of their freedom of expression.
Recall that the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule had confirmed five commissioner nominees and rejected four others submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Some of the rejected nominees were reported to have been disqualified for speaking about the Assembly.
The nominess were also believed to be loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Meanwhile, the governor has sworn in the five commissioners who had on Monday, scaled the screening exercise at the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He charged them to be prepared to give their best to the service of the state.
The Governor said that having passed through the screening exercises, the commissioners were already deemed fit and ready to serve as members of the State Executive Council.
He stated that in the course of their screening, the lawmakers had outlined their duties and responsibilities, adding that he expects nothing but the best from them.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screening, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge. So, I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
The five Commissioners-designate sworn in at the ceremony included Mr Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Mr Lekue Kenneth and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart. The Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office were administered on them by His Worship David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, the Chief Registrar, High Court of Rivers State..
The NUJ communiqué, which centred on matters affecting the state, included the following key resolutions; that the state and local governments should ensure that the state of emergency declared on education should translate into action; primary and secondary schools dilapidated or vandalized by hoodlums should be renovated across the state and action should be expedited on teachers recruitment and ensure equitable posting to the schools in rural areas that presently has little or no teachers.
Furthermore, the government should step up action on reviving the primary healthcare centers across the state; give priority attention to government owned media by refurbishing them and recruiting new staff for effective media jobs; take advantage of the amended electricity law in Nigeria to invest in the power sector to generate enough power to encourage investment and enhance economic growth.
Also, it should tackle the menace of touting on commercial vehicles in major roads of Port Harcourt city and its environs as it constitute nuisance and dents the image of the state.
The Assembly should recall the suspended members of the State Assembly in the spirit of ongoing reconciliation.
Lastly, there should be level playing ground for all groups and political parties as the electioneering period draws near and there should not be political violence such as the recent burning of political party building in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers state.
