Government of Rivers State




























































Government of Rivers State

Government of Rivers State logo.png
Official logo

Formation 1979 (39 years ago) (1979)
Jurisdiction Rivers State
Website riversstate.gov.ng
Legislative branch
Legislature House of Assembly
Meeting place House of Assembly Complex
Executive branch
Leader Governor of Rivers State
Appointer Direct popular vote
Headquarters Government House
Main organ Executive Council
Departments 26
Judicial branch
Court High Court
Seat Port Harcourt




























Rivers State

This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Rivers State


















  • Politics of Nigeria


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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, and
judicial branches, whose powers are vested by the
Constitution 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.




Contents






  • 1 Executive


    • 1.1 Governor


    • 1.2 Deputy Governor


    • 1.3 Executive council


    • 1.4 Ministries


    • 1.5 Agencies and Parastatals




  • 2 Legislature


    • 2.1 Powers


    • 2.2 Current Representatives




  • 3 Judiciary


  • 4 Elections and voting


  • 5 Local government


  • 6 See also


  • 7 References





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



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. He or she 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, if he or she does not make a decision to sign or veto a bill, it automatically becomes law after 30 days.


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 his deputy. In all cases where the chief executive is unable to discharge his or her duties, the deputy governor assumes the office of Acting Governor until the governor resumes duty, or until election of a new one.[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



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. He or she 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 the
governor 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



The executive council is currently made up of:[4]















































































































































Position Incumbent
Governor
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike
Deputy Governor
Ipalibo Banigo
Attorney General
Emmanuel C. Aguma
Secretary to the State Government
Kenneth Kobani
Chief of Staff
Chukwuemeka Woke
Head of Service
Rufus Godwins
Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement Igonibo E. Thompson
ICT Special Adviser
Administrator (GPHCDA) Desmond Akawor
Commissioner of Agriculture
Onimim Jacks
Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning Charles Gogo
Commissioner of Commerce and Industry Bright Jacob
Commissioner of Culture And Tourism
Tonye Briggs-Oniyide
Commissioner of Education
Kaniye Ebeku
Commissioner of Energy and Natural resources Shedrack Chukwu
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
Agriculture Regulates and formulates agricultural sector-related policies
http://rsmoa.gov.ng
Budget and Economic Planning Concerned with economic priorities and programmes of the government
Chieftaincy and Community Affairs Handles chieftaincy and community-related affairs
Commerce and Industry Deals with commerce, industry and cooperative matters
Culture and Tourism Develops and implements policies on culture and tourism
Education Directs education in Rivers State
http://ministryofeducationriversstate.com.ng
Employment Generation and Empowerment Employment provision and empowerment
http://www.riversjobs.gov.ng
Energy and Natural Resources Monitors, controls and regulates energy and natural resources-related activities
Environment Oversees the environment in Rivers State
Finance Manages, controls and monitors state revenues and expenditures
Health Facilitates the provision of health services
http://riversstatemoh.gov.ng
Housing
Information and Communications Regulates broadcasting and print media
Justice Administers justice. Headed by the Commissioner of Justice
Lands and Survey
Local Government Affairs Charged with local government and local administration
Power Charged with electrical energy and power
Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Implements programmes and provides social, rehabilitative services
Special Duties Manages disasters and emergencies
Sports
Transport Responsible for transport infrastructure
Urban Development Reviews and prepares physical development, urban renewal and transportation plans
Water Resources and Rural Development Reviews and prepares physical development, urban renewal and transportation plans
http://www.rvswaterministry.net
Women Affairs Encourages the development of women
Works Responsible for socio-economic infrastructure
Youth Development Promotes youth empowerment and development


Agencies and Parastatals



Agencies and parastatals, typically reporting to a ministry, include:[5]



  • Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency

  • Road Traffic Management Authority

  • Rivers State University of Science and Technology

  • Rivers State Television Authority

  • Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency

  • Rivers State Polytechnic

  • Rivers State Newspaper Corporation

  • Rivers State Microfinance Agency

  • Housing and Property Development Authority

  • Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology

  • Rivers State College of Arts and Science

  • Rivers State University of Education

  • Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation

  • Rivers State Agricultural Development Programme

  • Universal Basic Education Board

  • Senior Secondary Schools Board

  • Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board

  • Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board

  • Local Government Service Commission

  • Rivers State Waste Management Authority



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-member
constituencies by plurality. Its
primary 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




Local government


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


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











































































































































































LGA Name
Area (km2)
Census 2006
population
Administrative capital
Postal
Code

Port Harcourt
109
541,115

Port Harcourt
500

Obio-Akpor
260
464,789

Rumuodomanya
500

Okrika
222
222,026

Okrika
500

Ogu–Bolo
89
74,683

Ogu
500

Eleme
138
190,884

Ogale, Nchia
501

Tai
159
117,797

Sakpenwa
501

Gokana
126
228,828

Kpor
501

Khana
560
294,217

Bori
502

Oyigbo
248
122,687

Afam
502

Opobo–Nkoro
130
151,511

Opobo Town
503

Andoni
233
211,009

Ngo
503

Bonny
642
215,358

Bonny
503

Degema
1,011
249,773

Degema
504

Asari-Toru
113
220,100

Buguma
504

Akuku-Toru
1,443
156,006

Abonnema
504

Abua–Odual
704
282,988

Abua
510

Ahoada West
403
249,425

Akinima
510

Ahoada East
341
166,747

Ahoada
510

Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni
969
284,010

Omuku
510

Emohua
831
201,901

Emohua
511

Ikwerre
655
189,726

Isiokpo
511

Etche
805
249,454

Okehi
512

Omuma
170
100,366

Eberi
512


See also



  • Judiciary of Rivers State

  • Elections in Rivers State

  • Nigerian National Assembly delegation from Rivers



References





  1. ^ "State Executive". nigeria-law.org. Retrieved 28 August 2016..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}


  2. ^ "The names, salaries, titles and dates of employment Pay and Allowances of Political Office Holders". Bpsr.gov.ng. Retrieved 28 August 2016.


  3. ^ "What Ipalibo Banigo Should Do". The Tide. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2016.


  4. ^ "Executive Council". Rivers State Government. Retrieved 2010-09-20.


  5. ^ "Parastatals". Government of Rivers State. Archived from the original on 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2010-09-20.


  6. ^ "Constituencies". Rovers State House of Assembly. Retrieved 2010-09-20.


  7. ^ "Periscoping 2013 Legal Year". The Tide. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2016.


  8. ^ "Judiciary History". Rivers State Judiciary. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2016.











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