Fubara backs Rivers Assembly over commissioners screening, demands excellence

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has sworn in five new commissioners, praising the Rivers State House of Assembly for conducting what he described as one of the most rigorous screening exercises and charging the new appointees to deliver nothing short of excellence in service to the state.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, where Fubara urged the new commissioners to give their best to the people of Rivers State. The five commissioners sworn in are 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 by the Chief Registrar of the High Court of Rivers State, David D. Ihua-Maduenyi.

Congratulating the appointees, Fubara said their clearance by the assembly after a rigorous screening process demonstrated their competence and readiness for service. “Ordinarily, I should charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate, but that has been taken care of by the screening at the assembly,” the governor said. He told the new commissioners that the legislature had already laid out their duties and responsibilities during the screening process, and that nothing less than excellence would be accepted. “The screening was the charge. So, I wish you the best, as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” he added.

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The swearing-in follows a cabinet dissolution by Governor Fubara approximately a month ago, a move widely interpreted as part of ongoing political realignments within the state’s leadership structure. The House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, confirmed five of the nine commissioner-nominees on Monday, March 9, citing poor performance and inconsistencies in documentation as reasons for withholding confirmation from the remaining four nominees, while one was dropped following petitions submitted against him by constituents.

The four nominees whose confirmations were withheld are Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, Otonye Amachree, and Datonye Alasia.

Governor Fubara is expected to submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees to the legislature, as Rivers State has 23 local government areas. None of the eight commissioners dismissed by the governor over the past fortnight has been re-nominated for screening.

With the swearing-in of the five commissioners, Fubara is expected to continue consultations as he completes the process of rebuilding his cabinet and reposition the administration for the next phase of governance in Rivers State.