A Motion on Introduction of a Bill for a Bye-Law to Check, Regulate and Control Payment of Tenement Rate and for other Matters Connected Thereto, has been presented before the General Public by the Port Harcourt City Council’s Legislative Assembly, on the 28th of November, 2012.
The bill was sponsored by Hon. Kingsley Owhonda Amadi, Councillor Representing Ward 16 and Leader, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State and also seconded by Hon. Peter Arimie, Councillor Representing Ward 6 and the Chairman of the Adhoc Committee.
Presenting his address, Hon. Kingsley Owhonda Amadi, Leader of the House and Chairman, Rivers State Local Government Legislative Leaders Forum, described Public hearing as one of the processes of making laws, adding that without public hearing, that the processes of making laws would be incomplete.
He expressed gratitude with the caliber of persons that graced the event, believing that the presence and contributions of all the stake holders and professionals at the public hearing, will help to enhance their performance in discharging their duties at the council, when the bill will be finally passed into law. He thereafter declared the event open.
However, Hon. Peter Arimie, Councillor Representing Ward 6 in PHALGA, seconder of the bill. He lauded Chairman, Adhoc Committee, commended the Mayor of PHALGA, Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo for his support to the bill and his colleagues for their efforts and for being present to ensure the success of the bill in motion, adding that constitution empowers the LGAs to regulate and control tenement rates.
Contributing to the bill as presented, Hon. Osima Ginah, former Honourable Commissioner for Urban Development, Rivers State, who represented the Nigerian Bar Association, Rivers State Branch, made a personal input on the 16 and 1st schedules of the bill.
Other contributions were as well received from other professionals that came from the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Estate Valuers from different government agencies and other private individuals.
The Public Hearing was indeed unique from other hearing that took place before it, as participants were highly educated on the issue of discuss, while Hon. Amb. Christiana Dede, Councillor representing PHALGA Ward 19, disclosed that the discussions on the bill has really helped to solve some of the issues that were always raised by those companies operating within her ward, believing that the bill, when passed into law will help educate the people more.
By Blaise Elumezie
