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 deliberations in Port Harcourt.
During the screening exercise, the nominees appeared before lawmakers one after the other to defend their credentials and respond to questions on governance, experience, and compliance with statutory requirements.
Questions Over Documents
Among the first nominees to appear was Professor Datonye Alasia, a medical doctor and professor of medicine. Lawmakers raised concerns over discrepancies in his birth certificate and the absence of a tax clearance certificate.
Responding, Alasia explained that the alteration on the birth certificate might have occurred at the point of issuance and apologised for failing to attach the tax clearance document.
“As a nephrologist, I have trained many consultants and doctors in the university. That is part of my contribution to Rivers State,” he told lawmakers.
Despite the explanation, a motion moved by lawmaker Peter Abbey led to the rejection of his nomination.
Nominees Confirmed
Some nominees, however, secured approval after satisfying lawmakers with their responses.
Those confirmed include Tonye Bellgam, who holds a master’s degree in Project Management and has extensive experience in the oil and gas sector.
Also confirmed was Professor Temple Nwofor from Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area. He assured the Assembly that he would not execute projects outside the state budget if appointed.
“I don’t think I will involve myself in any project that is not contained in the budget,” he said.
Lawmakers also confirmed Dr Peters Nwagor, a mathematician and Associate Dean at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, after he outlined his academic and administrative experience.
Other nominees confirmed were chartered accountant Lekue Kenneth, who is involved in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, and private sector executive Amairigha Edward Hart.
Tense Screening Session
The session became tense during the appearance of Charity Deemua, a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission.
Lawmakers questioned discrepancies in her birth records and the absence of tax clearance documents. When asked about her professional experience, she replied: “I’m a politician, I don’t have work.”
Her response drew criticism from the Speaker, who asked whether politicians were exempt from paying taxes. Her nomination was subsequently rejected.
Also rejected were Tamuno Williams, a lawyer and former local government chairman from Okrika, and Otonye Amachree, whose nomination faced opposition over petitions and a previous legal dispute involving a Kalabari regency matter.
Assembly To Notify Governor
At the end of the exercise, the Assembly confirmed five nominees — Bellgam, Nwofor, Nwagor, Kenneth, and Hart — while rejecting Alasia, Deemua, Williams, and Amachree.
The Speaker said the House would formally communicate its decision to Governor Fubara.
“We will write to His Excellency to swear in the five confirmed nominees as soon as possible,” he said.
