Government of Rivers State explained

Government Name:Government of Rivers State
Jurisdiction:Rivers State
Legislature:House of Assembly
Meeting Place:House of Assembly Complex
Leader Title:Governor of Rivers State
Appointed:Direct popular vote
Headquarters:Government House
Main Organ:Executive Council
Departments:26
Court:High Court
Seat:Port Harcourt

The Government of Rivers State consists of elected representatives and appointed officials responsible for the government of Rivers State, Nigeria. Rivers State has a population of about 5 million people, and is one of the 36 states that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The state government is composed of the executive, legislative, andjudicial branches, whose powers are vested by theConstitution in the House of Assembly, the Governor and the High Court. The judiciary operates independently of the executive and the legislature. At the local level, elected officials are in charge of local government areas.

Executive

The executive branch is headed by the Governor, assisted by the Deputy Governor, both elected. The governor appoints the heads of parastatals, state-owned bodies, judicial officers, permanent secretaries and members of the Executive Council with the exception of the deputy. The Civil Service is administered by the head of service, a career civil servant, with each ministry managed by a permanent secretary. The commissioner is responsible for policy, while the permanent secretary provides continuity and is responsible for operations.

Governor

See main article: Governor of Rivers State. As the highest ranking-official in the executive, the Governor of Rivers State wields significant influence in matters relating to the governance of the state. As in most presidential systems, the governor is both the head of government and head of state. The governor is empowered by the Constitution to preside over the Executive Council, as well as to appoint, dismiss or reappoint its members–excluding the deputy governor–at will. In addition the governor may sign legislation passed by the House into law or may veto it, however, the bill automatically becomes law after 30 days if the governor does not sign the legislation.

A vote by a two-thirds majority in the House can overrule the governor. The same vote is required to initiate an impeachment process of the governor or the deputy governor. When the chief executive is unable to discharge their duties, the deputy governor assumes the office of Acting Governor until the governor resumes duty, or until election of a new governor.[1]

Since achieving statehood, Rivers State has had a total of 6 governors. Four of the former governors are still alive while only one has died. The longest serving governor is Peter Odili, a physician by profession. He spent 2,923 days in office.

Deputy Governor

See main article: Deputy Governor of Rivers State. The position of Deputy Governor of Rivers State constitutes the vice-head of state and government, created when the federation returned to civilian authority under the Second Republic. Whoever holds the post is considered the second highest official in the executive branch. The deputy governor is also seen as the first official in line to succeed the Governor of Rivers State, should that office be vacated.

The deputy governor is elected concurrently on a ticket with thegovernor for a term of four years renewable once. The annual salary for the office as of 2009 is 2,112,215.[2] Physician Ipalibo Banigo is the first woman to hold the position since it was established. Banigo, formerly a civil servant in the Ministry of Health, was chosen by governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike to be his running mate in the 2015 election.[3]

Executive council

See main article: Executive Council of Rivers State. The executive council is currently made up of:[4]

Position Incumbent
Siminalayi Fubara
Ipalibo Banigo
Prof. Zaccheus Adangor
Tammy Danagogo
Chukwuemeka Woke
Rufus Godwins
Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement Igonibo E. Thompson
ICT Special Adviser
Administrator (GPHCDA) Desmond Akawor
Commissioner of Agriculture Dr Fred Kpakol
Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning Charles Gogo
Commissioner of Commerce and Industry Bright Jacob
Commissioner of Culture And Tourism
Commissioner of Education Kaniye Ebeku
Commissioner of Energy and Natural resources Uchechukwu Nwafor
Commissioner of Environment Roseline Konya
Commissioner of Finance Fred Kpakol
Commissioner of Health Odagme Theophilus
Commissioner of Housing Emmanuel Okah
Commissioner of Information and Communications Austin Tam George
Commissioner of Justice Emmanuel C. Aguma
Commissioner of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs John Bazia
Commissioner of Land and Survey Hanny Woko
Commissioner of Local Government Affairs Rodaford Long-John
Commissioner of Power Mike Anwuri
Commissioner of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Herbert D. Miller
Commissioner of Special Duties Monday Onyezonwu
Commissioner of Sports Boma Iyaye
Commissioner of Transport Akie Dagogo Fubara
Commissioner of Urban Development Chinyere Igwe
Commissioner of Water Resources and Rural development Walter Ibibia
Commissioner of Women Affairs Ukel Oyaghiri
Commissioner of Works Harrison B. Iheanyichukwu
Commissioner of Youth Development Princewill Ogbobula

Ministries

Ministry Notes Website
Regulates and formulates agricultural sector-related policies http://rsmoa.gov.ng
Budget and Economic PlanningConcerned with economic priorities and programmes of the government
Chieftaincy and Community AffairsHandles chieftaincy and community-related affairs
Commerce and IndustryDeals with commerce, industry and cooperative matters
Culture and TourismDevelops and implements policies on culture and tourism
EducationDirects education in Rivers State http://ministryofeducationriversstate.com.ng
Employment provision and empowerment https://web.archive.org/web/20141218211651/http://riversjobs.gov.ng/
Energy and Natural ResourcesMonitors, controls and regulates energy and natural resources-related activities
Oversees the environment in Rivers State
FinanceManages, controls and monitors state revenues and expenditures
HealthFacilitates the provision of health services http://riversstatemoh.gov.ng
Housing
Regulates broadcasting and print media
Administers justice. Headed by the Commissioner of Justice
Lands and Survey
Local Government AffairsCharged with local government and local administration
Charged with electrical energy and power
Implements programmes and provides social, rehabilitative services
Special DutiesManages disasters and emergencies
Sports
TransportResponsible for transport infrastructure
Urban DevelopmentReviews and prepares physical development, urban renewal and transportation plans
Water Resources and Rural DevelopmentReviews and prepares physical development, urban renewal and transportation plans https://web.archive.org/web/20150123112157/http://www.rvswaterministry.net/
Encourages the development of women
WorksResponsible for socio-economic infrastructure
Youth DevelopmentPromotes youth empowerment and development

Agencies and Parastatals

See main article: List of government agencies of Rivers State. Agencies and parastatals, typically reporting to a ministry, include:[5]

Legislature

The Rivers State House of Assembly is the unicameral legislative body of the state government. It was established in 1979 by part II, section 84 of the Constitution of Nigeria, which states "There shall be a House of Assembly for each of the States of the Federation". Led by a Speaker, the House of Assembly consists of 32 members, each elected to four-year terms in single-memberconstituencies by plurality. Itsprimary responsibility is to create laws for the peace, order and effective government of the state.

Powers

There are numerous powers the Constitution expressly and specifically granted to the House of Assembly as they are necessary for its relevance. These include the powers to approve budget estimates presented to it by the executive; to make laws establishing the chargeable rates and the procedure to be used in assessing and collecting the rates charged by each local government council; confirm gubernatorial appointments, oversee and monitor activities of government agencies, review policy implementation strategies of the executive, summon before it and question a commissioner about the conduct of his or her ministry especially when the affairs of that ministry are under consideration and to initiate impeachment proceeding in order to secure the removal of the governor or the deputy.

Current Representatives

The legislature consists of elected representatives from each constituency. As of June 12, 2015 they were:[6]

Constituency Representative
Abua–Odual Marshal Stanley-Uwom
Ahoada East I Martyns Mannah
Ahoada East II Ehie Edison
Ahoada West Okpokiri Nwanaka
Akuku-Toru I Major Jack
Akuku-Toru II Tonye Alalibo
Andoni Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani
Asari-Toru I Enemi George
Asari-Toru II Granville Wellington
Bonny Abinye Pepple
Degema Dagogo Farah
Eleme Josiah Olu
Emohua Ogeh Samuel
Etche I Opurum Nwuzoma
Etche II Tony Ejiogu
Gokana Israel Ngbuelo Lebura
Ikwerre Azubuike Wanjoku
Khana I Deeyah Bariene
Khana II Dinebari Loolo
Obio-Akpor I Martins Amaewhule
Obio-Akpor II Michael Okechukwu Chinda
Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni I Christian Ahiakwo
Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni II Uwaji Nathaniel
Ogu–Bolo Evans Bapakaye Bipi
Okrika Adams Dabotorudima
Omuma Kelechi Godspower Nwogu
Opobo–Nkoro Diri Kelly Adonye
Oyigbo Chisom Promise Dike
Port Harcourt I Ogbonda Jones Nwene
Port Harcourt II Adoki Tonye Smart
Port Harcourt III Victor Ihunwo Nyeche
Tai Ngbar Sylvester Amuele
Clerk of the House Mr. Alex E. Nwala

Judiciary

The administration of justice in Rivers State is one of the fundamental duties of the judiciary of the state. This branch of government explains and applies the laws by hearing and eventually making decisions on various legal cases. It has a regulatory or supervisory body known as the Judicial Service Commission, which takes care of appointment, promotion and disciplinary issues of the judiciary.

The Chief Judge of Rivers State is the appointed head of the judicial branch. The chief judge is also the most senior judge and presiding member of the High Court of Justice. Among other responsibilities, the chief judge has the ceremonial duty of administering the oath of office of the Governor of Rivers State. In modern tradition, the chief judge retires voluntarily at sixty years of age, or statutorily at sixty five.[7]

Most appointments to the judiciary are made by the governor, but acting upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council. At present, there are about 10 judicial divisions within the High Court of Justice, and about 26 judges carrying out their professional work.[8]

Elections and voting

See main article: Elections in Rivers State.

Local government

Local government areas handle local administration, under an elected chairman.

Rivers State is divided into twenty-three local government areas (LGAs):

LGA NameArea (km2)Census 2006
population
Administrative capitalPostal
Code
Port Harcourt109541,115Port Harcourt500
Obio-Akpor260464,789Rumuodomanya500
Okrika222222,026Okrika500
Ogu–Bolo8974,683Ogu500
Eleme138190,884Ogale, Nchia501
Tai159117,797Sakpenwa501
Gokana126228,828Kpor501
Khana560294,217Bori502
Oyigbo248122,687Afam502
Opobo–Nkoro130151,511Opobo Town503
Andoni233211,009Ngo503
Bonny642215,358Bonny503
Degema1,011249,773Degema504
Asari-Toru113220,100Buguma504
Akuku-Toru1,443156,006Abonnema504
Abua–Odual704282,988Abua510
Ahoada West403249,425Akinima510
Ahoada East341166,747Ahoada510
Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni969284,010Omoku510
Emohua831201,901Emohua511
Ikwerre655189,726Isiokpo511
Etche805249,454Okehi512
Omuma170100,366Eberi512

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: State Executive. nigeria-law.org. 28 August 2016.
  2. Web site: The names, salaries, titles and dates of employment Pay and Allowances of Political Office Holders. 28 August 2016. Bpsr.gov.ng.
  3. News: What Ipalibo Banigo Should Do. 28 August 2016. The Tide. 29 May 2015.
  4. Web site: Executive Council . Rivers State Government . 2010-09-20 . 2015-04-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150426061908/http://riversstate.gov.ng/government/executive.html . dead .
  5. Web site: Parastatals . Government of Rivers State . 2010-09-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100914212046/http://www.riversstate.gov.ng/ParastatalsMembers/tabid/94/Default.aspx . 2010-09-14 .
  6. Web site: Constituencies . Rovers State House of Assembly . 2010-09-20.
  7. News: Periscoping 2013 Legal Year. The Tide. 8 January 2014. 28 August 2016.
  8. Web site: Judiciary History. Rivers State Judiciary. 28 August 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090600/http://www.riversjudiciary.com/judiciary-history/. 4 March 2016.