The Rivers State House of Assembly has confirmed Ahoada West-born Samuel Eyiba and four other commissioner-nominees who appeared before it for screening.

The four others are: Ilamu Arugu, Abua/Odual; Dr Roland Obed-Whyte, Degema; Samuel Anya, Abia State; and Austin Nnadozie, Etche.

Their confirmation was sequel to the letter sent by the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to the Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, to determine their suitability as members of the State Executive Council.

The Speaker read the letter of the Governor during plenary held at the Auditorium used for legislative businesses in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

The Governor’s request reads: “Request for the screening and confirmation of nominees for commissioners: Pursuant to Section 192 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it is my pleasure to forward the underlisted nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as commissioners and members of the Rivers State Executive Council.”

Shortly after reading the letter, the five commissioner-nominees were ushered into the Hallowed Chambers of the House, where they fielded questions from lawmakers on various issues of state policy, before being led out of the floor of the Assembly by the Sergeant-at-Arms, David Wariboko.

With the confirmation of the commissioners-designate, following a voice vote of members, after a heated debate, the Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, directed the clerk to convey the resolution of the House to the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for possible swearing in as members of the State Executive Council.

The House later reverted to the business of plenary where they opened debate on the Rivers State Vocational and Technical Training Bill 2024 to move it through second reading.

Eventually, the bill was committed to the Ad-Hoc Committee with the member representing Opobo/Nkoro State Constituency and Deputy Speaker, Adolphus Orubienimigha, as its Chairman.

The Ad-Hoc Committee was given two weeks to conduct a public hearing, compile its reports and submit same to the House.

The Leader of the House, Goodboy Sokari, who is the member representing Ahoada-West Constituency, prayed the House for more time for his Ad-Hoc Committee on the Rivers State Transport Company Reform Bill, 2024 to conclude the compilation of the rich proceedings of the public hearing.

His prayer was granted after Oko-Jumbo gave two weeks extension to enable the committee prepare its report and ensure it was submitted to the House.