The Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday screened nine commissioner nominees submitted by Siminalayi Fubara, confirming five and rejecting four after hours of questioning and debate in Port Harcourt.
During the session, the nominees appeared before lawmakers one after another to defend their credentials and respond to questions regarding their qualifications and experience.
Among the first nominees to be screened was Professor Datonye Alasia, a medical doctor and professor of medicine. Lawmakers raised concerns about discrepancies on his birth certificate and the absence of a tax clearance certificate. Responding, Alasia said the alteration on the birth certificate might have originated from the doctor who signed it at the time. He also apologised for failing to include his tax clearance certificate in the documents submitted to the Assembly.
Lawmakers further questioned his contributions to the state despite his international engagements. Alasia explained that as a nephrologist, he had trained several consultants and doctors at the university, which he described as part of his contribution to the state. However, Honourable Peter Abbey, representing Degema, argued that the nominee’s responses were unsatisfactory and moved a motion for his rejection, which was subsequently supported and adopted by the House.
Tonye Bellgam, who holds a master’s degree in Project Management and has extensive experience in the oil and gas sector, was confirmed after lawmakers reviewed his professional background.
Professor Temple Nwofor, a civil engineering professor from Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area, also appeared before the Assembly and faced questions on governance and fiscal discipline. When asked if he would implement projects not included in the state budget, Nwofor responded that he would not be involved in any project outside the approved budget. His response earned him confirmation.
Dr Peters Nwagor, a mathematician and Associate Dean at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, was also confirmed after presenting details of his academic and administrative experience.
The screening became tense during the appearance of Mrs Charity Deemua, a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission. Lawmakers questioned discrepancies in her birth dates and the absence of tax clearance documents. When asked about her work experience, she replied that she was a politician and did not have a job, prompting the Speaker to question whether politicians were exempt from paying taxes. Her nomination was eventually rejected.
Tamuno Williams, a lawyer from Okrika and former local government chairman, was also questioned over alleged past criticisms of the Assembly. Williams denied speaking against the legislature, stating that his comments were based on legal jurisprudence. Despite his explanation, lawmakers voted against confirming him.
Chartered accountant Lekue Kenneth, who serves as a senior project accountant on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, was confirmed after presenting his experience in financial management.
Senior lawyer and lecturer Otonye Amachree also appeared before the Assembly but faced scrutiny over petitions and his involvement in a legal dispute related to a Kalabari regency matter. Although he addressed the issues raised, lawmakers rejected his nomination.
The final nominee, Amairigha Edward Hart, a private sector executive, was confirmed.
At the end of the screening exercise, the Assembly confirmed five nominees—Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amairigha Edward Hart—while rejecting Professor Datonye Alasia, Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The Speaker said the Assembly would formally communicate its decision to Governor Fubara and indicated that the five confirmed nominees would be sworn in as soon as possible.
