Government of Rivers State
Official logo
Formation1979 (1979)
JurisdictionRivers State
Websiteriversstate.gov.ng
Legislative branch
LegislatureHouse of Assembly
Meeting placeHouse of Assembly Complex
Executive branch
LeaderGovernor of Rivers State
AppointerDirect popular vote
HeadquartersGovernment House
Main organExecutive Council
Departments26
Judicial branch
CourtHigh Court
SeatPort 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, 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.

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. 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

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 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]

PositionIncumbent
GovernorEzenwo Nyesom Wike
Deputy GovernorIpalibo Banigo
Attorney GeneralProf. Zaccheus Adangor
Secretary to the State GovernmentTammy Danagogo
Chief of StaffChukwuemeka Woke
Head of ServiceRufus Godwins
Director-General of the Bureau of Public ProcurementIgonibo E. Thompson
ICT Special Adviser
Administrator (GPHCDA)Desmond Akawor
Commissioner of AgricultureDr Fred Kpakol
Commissioner of Budget and Economic PlanningCharles Gogo
Commissioner of Commerce and IndustryBright Jacob
Commissioner of Culture And TourismTonye Briggs-Oniyide
Commissioner of EducationKaniye Ebeku
Commissioner of Energy and Natural resourcesUchechukwu Nwafor
Commissioner of EnvironmentRoseline Konya
Commissioner of FinanceFred Kpakol
Commissioner of HealthOdagme Theophilus
Commissioner of HousingEmmanuel Okah
Commissioner of Information and CommunicationsAustin Tam George
Commissioner of JusticeEmmanuel C. Aguma
Commissioner of Chieftaincy and Community AffairsJohn Bazia
Commissioner of Land and SurveyHanny Woko
Commissioner of Local Government AffairsRodaford Long-John
Commissioner of PowerMike Anwuri
Commissioner of Social Welfare & RehabilitationHerbert D. Miller
Commissioner of Special DutiesMonday Onyezonwu
Commissioner of SportsBoma Iyaye
Commissioner of TransportAkie Dagogo Fubara
Commissioner of Urban DevelopmentChinyere Igwe
Commissioner of Water Resources and Rural developmentWalter Ibibia
Commissioner of Women AffairsUkel Oyaghiri
Commissioner of WorksHarrison B. Iheanyichukwu
Commissioner of Youth DevelopmentPrincewill Ogbobula

Ministries

MinistryNotesWebsite
AgricultureRegulates and formulates agricultural sector-related policieshttp://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 Statehttp://ministryofeducationriversstate.com.ng
Employment Generation and EmpowermentEmployment provision and empowermenthttps://web.archive.org/web/20141218211651/http://riversjobs.gov.ng/
Energy and Natural ResourcesMonitors, controls and regulates energy and natural resources-related activities
EnvironmentOversees the environment in Rivers State
FinanceManages, controls and monitors state revenues and expenditures
HealthFacilitates the provision of health serviceshttp://riversstatemoh.gov.ng
Housing
Information and CommunicationsRegulates broadcasting and print media
JusticeAdministers justice. Headed by the Commissioner of Justice
Lands and Survey
Local Government AffairsCharged with local government and local administration
PowerCharged with electrical energy and power
Social Welfare and RehabilitationImplements 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 planshttps://web.archive.org/web/20150123112157/http://www.rvswaterministry.net/
Women AffairsEncourages the development of women
WorksResponsible for socio-economic infrastructure
Youth DevelopmentPromotes youth empowerment and development

Agencies and Parastatals

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-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]

ConstituencyRepresentative
Abua–OdualMarshal Stanley-Uwom
Ahoada East IMartyns Mannah
Ahoada East IIEhie Edison
Ahoada WestOkpokiri Nwanaka
Akuku-Toru IMajor Jack
Akuku-Toru IITonye Alalibo
AndoniIkuinyi Owaji Ibani
Asari-Toru IEnemi George
Asari-Toru IIGranville Wellington
BonnyAbinye Pepple
DegemaDagogo Farah
ElemeJosiah Olu
EmohuaOgeh Samuel
Etche IOpurum Nwuzoma
Etche IITony Ejiogu
GokanaIsrael Ngbuelo Lebura
IkwerreAzubuike Wanjoku
Khana IDeeyah Bariene
Khana IIDinebari Loolo
Obio-Akpor IMartins Amaewhule
Obio-Akpor IIMichael Okechukwu Chinda
Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni IChristian Ahiakwo
Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni IIUwaji Nathaniel
Ogu–BoloEvans Bapakaye Bipi
OkrikaAdams Dabotorudima
OmumaKelechi Godspower Nwogu
Opobo–NkoroDiri Kelly Adonye
OyigboChisom Promise Dike
Port Harcourt IOgbonda Jones Nwene
Port Harcourt IIAdoki Tonye Smart
Port Harcourt IIIVictor Ihunwo Nyeche
TaiNgbar Sylvester Amuele
Clerk of the HouseMr. 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 Omoku 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

References

  1. ↑ "State Executive". nigeria-law.org. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  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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