Rivers Assembly confirms five commissioner nominees, rejects four

The Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday screened nine commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, confirming five and rejecting four after hours of deliberation in Port Harcourt.

The nominees appeared before lawmakers one after another to defend their credentials and respond to questions during the screening exercise.

Among those rejected was Professor Datonye Alasia, a medical doctor and professor of medicine, whose nomination faced scrutiny over discrepancies in his birth certificate and the absence of a tax clearance certificate. Despite offering explanations, the House voted against confirming him.

Tonye Bellgam, who holds a master’s degree in Project Management and has extensive experience in the oil and gas sector, was confirmed after lawmakers reviewed his professional background.

Professor Temple Nwofor, a civil engineering professor from Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area, was also confirmed after responding to questions on governance and fiscal discipline.

Dr Peters Nwagor, a mathematician and Associate Dean at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, secured confirmation after outlining his academic and administrative experience.

Screening became tense during the appearance of Mrs Charity Deemua, a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission. Lawmakers raised concerns over conflicting birth dates and missing tax clearance documents, leading to the rejection of her nomination.

Tamuno Williams, a lawyer and former local government chairman from Okrika, was also rejected following questions over alleged past criticisms of the Assembly.

Chartered accountant Lekue Kenneth, a senior project accountant on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, was confirmed after presenting his financial management experience.

Senior lawyer and lecturer Otonye Amachree also faced scrutiny over petitions and a previous legal dispute involving a Kalabari regency matter, and his nomination was rejected.

The final nominee, Amairigha Edward Hart, a private sector executive, was confirmed.

At the end of the exercise, the Assembly confirmed five nominees — Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth and Amairigha Edward Hart — while rejecting Professor Datonye Alasia, Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams and Otonye Amachree.

The Speaker announced that the Assembly would formally communicate its decision to Governor Fubara for the swearing-in of the confirmed nominees.