The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, yesterday said the 27 lawmakers asked the court to put federal allocations to the state on hold because Governor Siminalayi Fubara had trampled on the rule of law.
Frowning at the governor’s disdain for the due process, he chided Fubara for his penchant for disobeying courts’ judgements and constitutional provisions.
Also firing salvos at the governor’s appointees and top civil servants, Amaewhule said they would not escape justice for aiding him to breach the rules.
However, Fubara fired back, saying that his detractors wanted to frustrate the implementation of laudable projects in the state.
The Amaewhule-led Assembly resolved during its
65th sitting at the legislative quarters on Aba Road, Port-Harcourt, the state capital, that the breach of law cannot go unpunished..
A statement by Martin’s Wachukwu, Special Assistant on Media to Amaewhule, said the lawmakers reviewed the governor’s actions while deliberating on the recent Judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
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The lawmakers applauded the judgement of Justice J.O. Abdulmalik stopping the government from withdrawing from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, until the 2024 Appropriation Bill is passed by a properly constituted Assembly.
They took their turns to commend the verdict after it was laid on the floor of the Assembly by the House Leader, Major Jack.
On July 15, the House of Assembly rejected Fubara’s refusal to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the House.
Consequently, the lawmakers wrote to the governor to shut down on expenditure, pursuant to Section 122 of the 1999 Constitution.
Following the resolution, the Amaewhule-led House filed an action before the Federal High Court to determine whether Fubara could expend from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state without a valid 2024 Appropriation Law by the House of Assembly.
The lawmakers prayed the court to invoke the consequences of such constitutional breach by ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant- General of the Federation, some Money Deposit Banks, among other defendants, to stop the release of moneys until Fubara complied with the Constitution which he swore to uphold.
The court decided in favour of the House and the Speaker.
Reflecting on the judgment, Amaewhule said: “Since 1st of July, 2024, Governor Fubara has been spending moneys of the state without approval, hence the declaration of the shutdown of expenditure.
“Yet, the governor, in his characteristic manner of disobeying judgements of courts, the Constitution and extant laws has continued to circumvent the law with the aid of Permanent Secretaries, and some individuals who parade themselves as commissioners. They will certainly have a date with the law”.
The Speaker thanked the lawmakers for their steadfastness, urging them to always defend democracy.
He maintained that those trampling on the constitution would be made to account for their malfeasance.
Amaewhule described the decision of the Federal High Court as a landmark judgement, stressing that it was illegal, unlawful and a subversion of the Constitution for Fubara and his appointees to continue to spend from the Consolidated Revenue Fund without a valid Appropriation Law.
‘My detractors want to frustrate projects’
Fubara said his detractors wanted to derail the implementation of projects and good governance in the state.
However, he said despite the distractions, his administration would remain focused on rendering quality service to the people.
The governor assured that the Bori and Omoku Zonal Hospitals would be ready for public use by the end of this year.
Fubara said he would not relent in providing affordable healthcare services, quality education standard infrastructure and boosting agriculture.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said the governor gave the assurance when he inspected the Zonal Hospital project in Omoku Town in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
Fubara said: “I want you to know this afternoon of this reconfirmation of our commitment to Rivers people that, not minding the attacks, notwithstanding the boast by people who believe they don’t want this state to go forward, that they will be disappointed.
“They want to make this State to be on fire so that we will be distracted from governance. We want to tell them, that while we face the fire, our eyes are on the ball.
“We will ensure that this particular project is delivered on time, alongside that of Bori Zonal Hospital, by the special grace of God, before the end of this year.”
The governor, who expressed satisfaction with the progress of work done, commended the contractor for adhering to agreed specifications.
He said: “From what we have inspected this afternoon, it is a world-class standard of an intermediary health facility.
“We confirmed that the contractor is working according to specifications because we want this facility to have a mortuary, a laundry which are needed for a standard hospital, and accommodation for the health workers.”
“You can see for yourself that you even saw a crane also working at the site of this project.
“We promise that this project, as part of what we promised our good people of Rivers State, that healthcare, education and agriculture are the prime things that we must, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves, deliver to our people.”
The governor also had a stop-over at the Ikiri Section of the 33.5 kilometers Elele-Egbeda-Omoku dualised road that also has bridge linking Ikwerre- Emohua-Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas.
Fubara said the road project was flagged off in May as part of activities marking his one year in office.
He said: “This project cuts across three local governments – Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Areas. It is a 33.5 kilometer road with a river crossing bridge that will connect the three local government areas.
“We came here, as you are seeing. I think the contractor is doing a very good job, not withstanding the flood situation that they are battling with. I strongly believe that it will be delivered as promised by the contractor.”
He added: “I need to say this so that you also understand the challenges that we are facing: This is a raining season, and we are also having flood situation, but that notwithstanding, the contractor is doing a good job. You can see it yourself.”