Assembly receives fresh list of would-be commissioners
Feelers being received by the Telegraph suggest that the Rivers State House of Assembly may have received a list containing some nominees that are likely to join the existing members of the State Executive Council, if they make it through screening.
So far, there has been no statement from either the house or the government, but most of Friday, there were speculations that the Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi may have forwarded a number of names to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry.
At its last sitting, the House resolved to allow the governor to appoint more special advisers.
But there was no mention of any list of would be commissioners.
In the meantime, eight commissioners are already serving. They are the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barrister ken Chikere, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, the Commissioner for Health, Doctor Sampson Parker and the Commissioner for Transport, Hon George Tolofari.
Others are George Feyii, Commissioner for Finance, Alice Nemi, Commissioner for Education and Osimah Ginah, Commissioner for Urban development as well as the Commissioner for Women Affairs.
It is not known if the entire list of the remaining members of the state executive council was forwarded to the house.
Speaking at the 10th anniversary of the death of the publisher of the Independent Monitor, the governor hinted that he had gotten the remaining nominee who is expected to take up the budget and economic planning portfolio.
Later Thursday evening tongues began wag, with some persons saying a list of nominees was ready. By Friday, the speculation intensified, with many within the political class exchanging phone calls and sharing experiences on what they considered breaking news.
Assembly correspondents reached told this publication that the house is likely to commence screening on Tuesday.
As at the time of going to press, the Telegraph was yet to get any confirmation but within political circles, the story of the existence of a list was spreading like bush fire.
