The Rivers State House of Assembly has confirmed five of the nine commissioner nominees forwarded by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while rejecting four others after a rigorous screening exercise in Port Harcourt.
The screening, which lasted several hours on Monday, saw the nominees appear individually before lawmakers to present their credentials and respond to questions on their professional backgrounds and suitability for public office.
One of the first nominees to face the House was Professor Datonye Alasia, a medical doctor and professor of medicine.
During the session, the lawmakers raised concerns over alterations on his birth certificate and the absence of a tax clearance certificate among his submitted documents.
Responding to the queries, Alasia explained that the irregularity on the birth certificate might have occurred during the initial signing of the document by the issuing doctor.
He also apologised for failing to attach his tax clearance certificate when submitting his documents.
Despite his explanations, some lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with his responses.
A member representing Degema Constituency, Peter Abbey, moved a motion that the nominee should not be confirmed, a proposal that was later supported by the House through a vote.
Another nominee, Tonye Bellgam, who holds a master’s degree in Project Management and has extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, was subsequently confirmed after lawmakers reviewed his professional credentials.
Similarly, Professor Temple Nwofor, a civil engineering academic from Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area, was also confirmed.
During his screening, he assured lawmakers that he would strictly adhere to fiscal discipline and avoid executing projects outside the state budget if appointed.
Dr Peters Nwagor, a mathematician and Associate Dean at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also secured confirmation after presenting his academic and administrative experience.
The screening became more tense during the appearance of Charity Deemua, a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission.
The lawmakers questioned discrepancies in her birth records and the absence of a tax clearance certificate.
When asked about her work experience, she stated that she was a politician and did not have formal employment, a response that drew reactions from lawmakers.
Her nomination was eventually rejected.
Another nominee, Tamuno Williams, a lawyer from Okrika and former local government chairman, was questioned over alleged past criticisms of the Assembly.
Williams denied speaking negatively about the legislature, saying his earlier comments were based on legal interpretation.
However, the lawmakers voted against confirming his nomination.
Chartered accountant Lekue Kenneth, who works as a senior project accountant on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, was confirmed after outlining his experience in financial management.
Also screened was Otonye Amachree, a senior lawyer and university lecturer, who faced questions over petitions and his role in a previous legal dispute involving a Kalabari regency matter.
Despite his explanations, the Assembly declined to confirm his nomination.
The final nominee, Amairigha Edward Hart, a private sector executive, was confirmed by the lawmakers.
At the end of the exercise, the Assembly confirmed five nominees, Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amairigha Edward Hart — while Professor Datonye Alasia, Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree were rejected.
The Speaker of the Assembly said the House would formally communicate its decision to Governor Fubara and urged the state government to proceed with the swearing-in of the confirmed nominees as soon as possible.
