The Rivers State Executive Council has put forward four Executive Bills for consideration by the State House of Assembly, aiming to facilitate the rapid development of the state. This significant step was announced by Rivers Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Zacheous Adangor, and Dr. Henry Ogiri, the Commissioner for Power Ministry, during a joint press briefing following the 4th State Executive Council meeting led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Prof Adangor detailed the purpose of the three draft Bills: the New Town Development Authority Bill 2023, designed to alleviate the single city status of Rivers State and foster the growth of new towns; the Rivers State Youth Entrepreneurship Development Trust Fund Bill, 2023, aimed at fostering entrepreneurial growth and addressing the challenges of job creation and employment generation; and the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency Bill 2023, which seeks to establish an agency to promote investment within the state.
Dr. Henry Ogiri, the Commissioner for Power, highlighted the state’s commitment to align with the Federal Government’s policy on Power Sector deregulation by introducing a Power Sector Regulatory Commission in Rivers State. He emphasized the crucial role of power in infrastructure and development and how the Power Sector Regulatory Commission Bill, once enacted, will open up the power sector and stimulate economic growth in the state, harnessing the abundant gas resources for electricity investment.
Senibo Joe Johnson, the newly sworn-in Commissioner for Information & Communication, introduced the briefing on the outcomes of the EXCO meeting. Notably, this marked the fourth executive council meeting led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, highlighting the government’s dedication to governance and development in Rivers State.