Photo: Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, receiving copies of two laws from the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Saturday  where he  assented to two laws passed by the House

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has signed into law new Local Government  bill that will grant him the right to extend the appointments  of the caretaker  committees up to  nine months. 

Two laws accented to by Wike are: 

1. The Rivers State Local Government  (amendment No.1) Law Number 5 of 2016 and.

2. The Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice  No. 7 of 2015.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu.

Speaking  at the event on Saturday at the Government House, Port Harcourt , Governor Wike stated that the new Local Government  Law will give the governor the leverage to extend the appointments  of the caretaker  committees up to  nine months. 

He said that the extension  of  the  tenure  of the caretaker committees is aimed at ensuring  stability  in council administration. 

According to him, the criticism  that the new law gives some caretaker committee chairmen  third tenure is unfounded as the caretaker committees  are not elected officials. 

He said: “Instead of three months or six months, this amended law allows the governor to appoint caretaker  committees  for nine months.

“It is not meant to keep the caretaker  committees  in perpetuity.  Once we have  elected councils, the elected officials  will stay for three years subject and for a maximum  of  two  terms “.

He added: “Those in the APC  who are criticising  this amendment have forgotten so soon that they passed laws in two minutes while they were at the State Assembly.  This amendment has been done for the good governance  of  the  state “.

Commenting  on  the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice No. 7 of 2015, Governor Wike  said  it will help the state to fight crime and maintain  law and order.

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Dabo Adams assured  that the House will continue  to  perform her duties for the good governance of the state. 

Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly , Martin Amaewhule said the lawmakers  passed the laws given their importance  to  the  state.

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