The Speaker, Rivers state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule has described as unacceptable, the alleged refusal of the Clerk of Rivers State Government House to accept correspondence from the State assembly and warned that the Assembly would stop receiving correspondence from the State’s Government House if the situation continues.

He gave the warning at the make-shift proceedings venue of the House of Assembly quarters shortly after the fresh screening of Ex-Commissioners who resigned during the height of the crisis in the state last year.

“I want to seize this opportunity to express our displeasure at the way staff of Government House refuse to receive communications from this August assembly. It is Important I state this so the House would take note. We noticed in recent times that staff of Government House chooses to send communication to us but refuse to take the one from us.

“The staff of Government House who was sent by the governor to bring the letter for the screening of Commissioners to us, brought it, but when asked to receive a letter for the Governor, he declined. So they prefer to send communication to us but refuse to receive from us. I want it to be on record that the staff from Government House who brought this letter to us, refuse to receive communication from us meant for the governor.

“We have resorted to courier services to be sending mails to the governor. It is important we get Rivers people to know that this is the situation. But we remain undeterred and continue to do our work. But if this continues, a situation where the office of the Governor refuse to take communication from us, we would also stop receiving communication from the governor and it is good that we make this very clear.

”We stood election the same day and were elected to serve Rivers people. We need to work for the interest of the people of Rivers state. It is important to do so bearing in mind that it is the people who gain or lose when we choose not to do what we are supposed to do in line with the Constitution.

“But the Bills passed by this House, which is the Financial Autonomy Bill and the amendment to Local Government Law were since sent out to Government House and they have acknowledged receipt of those. But subsequent communication they have refused to collect. We would watch and see. If this trend continues, like I said, we would seize to receive communication from the governor. I just want to believe it doesn’t happen again,” he added.

Earlier, the Speaker read out letter from the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara requesting the screening of 8 former Commissioners who were part of his cabinet but resigned last year for reappointment as Commissioners and members of the Rivers state executive council.

Majority Leader of the House, Hon Jack Major noted that they had been thoroughly screened the first time they appeared before the House for screening before their first appointment and moved that they take a bow and go.

All 22 members of the House of Assembly members present at the screening supported the motion. (Vanguard)

•The Speaker Rivers state House of assembly Rt Hon Martin Amawhule, Clerk of the House and other Assembly Officials during the Screening of Former Commissioners in the State For Reappointment.

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