Lawmakers step down Confirmation of Commissioner Nominee in Bayelsa . Approves others, adjourned sine die

By Inegbagha Majesty 

The Bayelsa State House of Assembly at its plenary session on Thursday has stepped down the confirmation of a Commissioner Nominee and former Commissioner for Transport, Miss Grace Ekiotenne over what they described as gross disrespect to constituted authority.

 

Miss Ekiotenne was alleged to have at several occasions denied the members of the House Committee on Transport to discharge their statutory oversight functions in her ministry.

The Lawmakers were not happy over the disrespectful manner the Nominee exhibited towards the committee members while serving as Commissioner in the State Ministry of Transport.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon Abraham Ingobere, however, constituted an adhoc committee headed by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Michael Ogbere to look into the issue and report back to the House in two weeks.

He highlighted the constitutional power vested to the House, saying that it would not tolerate such behaviour.

According to him, as Commissioners, they were appointed to render selfless service to the people with humility and dedication in the discharge of their duties, adding that even the civil servants working with them should not be underrated.

Rather, they should initiate programmes that could motivate them and strengthen their relationship.

Advising the nominees shortly after their screening, the Speaker charged them to accord maximum respect to the laws that establish their institutions by adhering strictly to the mandates of their ministries and agencies to better the lot of the people, devoid of victimization and ill feelings.

He called on the Board of Internal Revenue in the state to intensify efforts by ensuring that the state no longer depend on federal government monthly allocations for the payment of worker’s salaries.

Also, in his advice, the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon Bernard Sunday Kenebai, urged the Nominees to improve on their performances in order to accelerate the pace of development of the state.

This, Hon (Chief) Igbadiwei MacDonald, member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4, reminded that Bayelsa State is in dare need of development, adding that they should see the people of the state as one indivisible entity.

The lawmaker further enjoined them to carry all along in their ministries and agencies to uplift the living condition of Bayelsans.

The member representing Ekeremor Constituency 1, Hon(Barr.) Tare Porri, in his advice, used the forum to called on Local Government Chairmen as Chief Security Officers of their council domains to stay at their duty post in order to curtail insecurity challenges.

He condemned the scenario whereby council Chairmen stay at the state capital, Yenagoa to administer the affairs of their respective Council areas.

Those screened and confirmed at the committee of the whole are Stanley Braboke- Commissioner, Barr Odudu Awipi-Member Local government service commission, and Chief Eyororokumoh-Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Board of Internal Revenue.

Meanwhile, the House had adjourned sine die.