Uche Amunike
Lifeandtimes News Writer
The Rivers State House of Assembly, Monday, screened nine commissioner nominees recommended by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, out of which five were confirmed and four, rejected after intense screening and debate in Port Harcourt.
During the screening, all nominees were called, one after the other, to defend their credentials and respond to questions from lawmakers.
Among them was Professor Datonye Alasia, a medical doctor and professor of medicine. Questions were raised over discrepancies on his birth certificate and the absence of a tax clearance certificate during his screening. He explained that the mutilation on the birth certificate may have come from the doctor who signed it at the time. On the missing tax clearance certificate, he stated: ‘I sincerely apologize for not attaching the tax clearance certificate before handing over the documents to the Sergeant-at-Arms.’
He was also asked to state his contributions to the state, despite his international engagements, and he explained that, as a nephrologist, he had trained many consultants and doctors in the university as part of his contributions to Rivers State.
Despite his explanations, Hon. Peter Abbey of Degema argued that the nominee’s performance was not satisfactory. He stated: ‘Based on his responses here today, I move that Professor Datonye Alasia should not be confirmed. The motion was seconded, and the house voted against his confirmation.
Another nominee, Tonye Bellgam, was confirmed after the lawmakers reviewed his professional status. He is a Masters degree holder in Project Management with extensive oil and gas experience.
Peter Nwagor was also confirmed after presenting his academic and administrative experience. He is a mathematician and Associate Dean at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.
A Civil Engineering professor, Prof. Temple Nwofor, from Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area, faced questions on governance and fiscal discipline. He was asked whether he would implement projects that were not in the state budget and he replied: ‘I don’t think I will involve myself in any project that is not contained in the budget.’ This response earned him confirmation by the lawmakers.
A member of the Rivers States House of Assembly Service Commission, Mrs. Charity Deemua, appeared before the lawmakers, turning the screening, tense. The lawmakers questioned her conflicting birthdates and missing tax clearance documents. Responding to details about her work experience, she responded: ‘I am a politician. I don’t have work.’ This prompted the Speaker to retort: ‘ So, politicians don’t pay tax? She was eventually not confirmed.
A lawyer from Okrika and former Local Government Chairman, Tamuno Williams, was queried over alleged past criticisms of the Assembly. He, however, defended himself: ‘First of all, I can never talk down on this house. My comments were based on a little jurisprudence.’ The house, however, voted against his confirmation.
Lekue Kenneth is a chartered accountant and senior project accountant on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. He was confirmed after the presentation of his financial management experience.
A senior lawyer and lecturer, Otonye Amachree was scrutinized over petitions and prior involvement in the Kalabari Regency legal disputes. Even though he addressed the concerns, the lawmakers rejected his nomination.
A private senior executive, Amairigha Edward Hart, was confirmed.
Five nominees were confirmed at the end of the screening. They are Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amairigha Edward Hart, even as these four were rejected: ‘Professor Datonye Alasia, Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
According to the Speaker, the Assembly will officially communicate its decision to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, so that the five confirmed nominees would be sworn in as soon as possible.
