THE Senate, at the peak of the crisis in Rivers State House of Assembly, passed a resolution directing the Inspector-General of Police Abubakar Mohammed to redeploy the state Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, following his alleged role in the crisis involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Chibuike Amaechi. But about two months after, the CP still holds sway in the state. In an interview, Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Ita Enang, says the Senate has not received formal information on compliance with the directive. He also speaks on other issues. Excerpts:
The Senate recently took over Rivers State House of Assembly due to the crisis there. How far has the upper chamber gone with legislation in that state?
Legislation in respect of Rivers State would only arise if, one, there is a matter in that state requiring legislation. Two, the three senators representing Rivers State have become the legislators for the state and we have become the legislature. If there is any matter arising from there, they will draw our attention fast. Secondly, if the governor of the state has a matter in which he needs legislative backing, he will write to us.
But, as at now, we have not received any information seeking either a budgetary approval or an amendment to any law or a bill seeking to amend the law or a bill seeking to appoint a commissioner or any other bill. So, if you do not send a bill seeking to approve the appointment of a commissioner, we cannot consider such a commissioner. If there is no bill seeking for a budget to be passed, we cannot pass it. If you have not sent a bill that is requiring the amendment of any law, we cannot originate it because we have not found anything wrong in the way you run the administration of the state to which we are the legislature.
Do you have a time frame as the legislature in that state?
We have a time frame under the Constitution. When it is over, it will be over. But, as at today, we are the legislature for Rivers State. I will not go into the details of that but the Constitution says six months in the first instance.Read more on vanguard.
The Senate recently took over Rivers State House of Assembly due to the crisis there. How far has the upper chamber gone with legislation in that state?
Legislation in respect of Rivers State would only arise if, one, there is a matter in that state requiring legislation. Two, the three senators representing Rivers State have become the legislators for the state and we have become the legislature. If there is any matter arising from there, they will draw our attention fast. Secondly, if the governor of the state has a matter in which he needs legislative backing, he will write to us.
But, as at now, we have not received any information seeking either a budgetary approval or an amendment to any law or a bill seeking to amend the law or a bill seeking to appoint a commissioner or any other bill. So, if you do not send a bill seeking to approve the appointment of a commissioner, we cannot consider such a commissioner. If there is no bill seeking for a budget to be passed, we cannot pass it. If you have not sent a bill that is requiring the amendment of any law, we cannot originate it because we have not found anything wrong in the way you run the administration of the state to which we are the legislature.
Do you have a time frame as the legislature in that state?
We have a time frame under the Constitution. When it is over, it will be over. But, as at today, we are the legislature for Rivers State. I will not go into the details of that but the Constitution says six months in the first instance.Read more on vanguard.
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