By Carol Olatunji, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE RIVERS State House of Assembly has resolved to investigate the finances managed during the six-month emergency rule administered by retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator.
The resolution was taken on Thursday as the lawmakers reconvened for their first plenary session since the suspension of legislative activities in March.
The assembly, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, directed that all financial activities carried out under the administrator be subjected to review.
Lawmakers noted that the probe would cover expenditures on projects and programmes implemented during the emergency period.
The legislators also requested Governor Siminalayi Fubara to transmit the list of commissioner nominees for screening and confirmation.
They further directed him to present a fresh budget to the assembly in order to restore full democratic governance in the state.
The house announced that its sitting marked the official resumption of democratic legislative duties after the end of emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu in March.
Tinubu had suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the assembly at the height of a political crisis that engulfed the state.
The emergency measure placed all executive and legislative functions under the direct control of Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff.
On Wednesday, Tinubu lifted the state of emergency, thereby restoring all suspended democratic structures in Rivers.
The president’s directive reinstated Governor Fubara and other elected officials who were removed when the emergency administration took effect.
At Thursday’s session, the assembly emphasised its responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of public funds during the period of emergency governance.
Lawmakers noted that the review would provide clarity on how state resources were managed by the sole administrator.
Meanwhile, civil society voices have also echoed calls for accountability.
Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, speaking during a Channels Television programme on Thursday, urged Ibas to account for funds spent while he held office as administrator.
Epelle argued that past experiences had shown that politicians involved in the crisis leading to the emergency could not be fully trusted.
He maintained that Rivers people had endured hardship during the period and deserved explanations on how state resources were deployed.
The assembly complex remains under reconstruction following its demolition by the state government earlier in the year.
Despite the absence of the original building, the lawmakers resumed proceedings to set the course for democratic governance after six months of rule by an unelected administrator.
