16 Rivers state lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly have processed sixty two (62) bills representing 3.7 percent. The House of Representatives account for forty two (42) and Senate nineteen (19) respectively.
The primary function of the legislature is lawmaking asides oversight and representation which is for the good governance and well-being of citizens and residents of the country.
Members of the 10th Senate and House of Representatives have in the last one year processed a total number of 1,650 bills. Out of which, lawmakers representing Rivers state account for 62 bills representing 3.7 percent. However, 60 percent of the bills are still at the level of first reading. The bills are mostly focused on health, agriculture, constitutional amendment and education.
According to OrderPaper’s detailed analysis of bills processed between June 2023 and May 2024, the three senators representing the state account for nineteen (19) of the 475 bills sponsored in the Senate. The thirteen (13) representatives from the state account for forty three (43) of the 1175 bills recorded in the green chamber.
Senator Banigo Harry, a newbie representing Rivers west, sponsored 11 bills to top the chart but all of them are awaiting second reading. Senator Barinada Mpigi, representing Rivers south-east and serving his second term, trails closely behind with 8 bills which are yet to scale through second reading. Another first time lawmaker, Senator Oyesoh Allwell, representing Rivers east, sponsored no bill in the period under review.
In the House of Representatives, Rep. Abiante Awaji- Inobbek, representing Opobo/Nkoro recorded 13 bills although he is currently serving his third term. His bills are mostly focused on finance, health, constitutional alterations and education. Abiante is overall lead of the Rivers state contingent in bills sponsorship. Rep. Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader and representing Obio/Akpor federal constituency, is next with 9 bills and he is a top ranking member currently service his fourth (4th) term. Obuzor Chukwuemele, a newbie representing Ahoada West/Obua/Odual recorded 6, while Rep. Dekor Dumnamene has 5 bills.
Others are,: Reps. Sunday Emerengwa (3rd term) representing Emoha/Ikwerre, Nwogwu Kelechi representing Etche/Omuma, Amadi Chigeru representing Port Harcourt ll serving first term, Bob Solomon representing Ahoada East/Abua/Odual serving a second term all recorded two (2) bills each.
Also, Reps Boma Goodhead representing Akuku-Tiru/Asari-Toru, and Nweke Uche representing Eleme/Ogigbo/Tai processed one (1) bill each. As indicated in the graphic card, three lawmakers did not sponsor a bill in the period under review.
Since its inception, OrderPaper Nigeria has championed multifaceted media products and advocacy programmes geared towards legislative accountability. One of such is the innovative, trail-blazing and unimpeachable annual performance appraisals of members of the national assembly.
STAR Check: Find out more about all Rivers lawmakers in the National Assembly here.
10th NASS REPORT CARD: Read up on the performance scorecard of other senators, members of the House on specialised categories here
