There was confusion in some parts of Port Harcourt Rivers State capital amid claims of gun shots in the city earlier in the day.An eye witness in Government House told Newsdiaryonline.com that canisters of tear-gas were thrown into Government House today.
“Iam a witness to this now .I am still coughing as I am talking to you(Coughs).It is a bad situation” said a source in Government House at about 1.10pm today.He alleged that the “boys doing this were being escorted by the Police” but Newsdiaryonline.com could not confirm this.
But a rivers state govenment tweet later confirmed that it was actually the police that fired tear gas into Government House thus: “@riversstategov: SOS Police are shooting teargas into Government House, Port Harcourt.”
Also ,a source said , “Soldiers attached to Gov Amaechi of Rivers have been recalled and detained by Brigade commander. Plans are to move the APC protecting Government House”.These are clearly troubling times, observers said.
But Rivers State Police Spokesperson,DSP Angela Agabe denied that the police shot teargas into Government House“No, it’s not true.
“Police personnel deployed to stop protesting youths did not fire tear gas into the Government House.
“Tear gas was used to disperse youths who attempted to enter the state House of Assembly and others who also took over some streets.
“Our personnel did not fire tear gas at the Government House.”
She added that calm had returned“There is calm and things are quiet everywhere and the police is on top of the situation.”
Earlier in the day, reports said the premised of Rivers State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt was sealed up.Some lawmakers numbering more than 20 who came there met a brick wall
Some lawmakers, were said to be holding a press briefing in Govt House ostensibly to pledge their loyalty to the Speaker ,Otelemaba Amachree and Governor Rotimi Amaechi. The eye witness who spoke with Newsdiaryonline.com said “ the governor is safe.”
Also today, on the heels of reported violence at the Rivers State House of Assembly the House of Representatives has taken over the functions of the Rivers Assembly.The lower chamber of the federal legislature in Abuja took the decision on Wednesday after debates and approval of a motion and based on section 11, sub section 4 of the 1999 Constitution.
According to the section, “At any time when any House of Assembly of a state is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation prevailing in the state, The National Assembly may make such Laws for the peace, order and good government of that state with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions; and any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the state.”
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Meanwhile,Hon. Onari Brown,chairman, house committee on information & training has released official account of what transpired on Tuesday According to him,the Rivers State House of Assembly reconvened for its 3rd Session of the 7th Assembly today 9th July 2013.
“In attendance at the Sitting were twenty-two (22) Honourable Members of the House. The House had in its Order of the Day – Virement of Certain Heads in the Capital Expenditure Items in 2013 Appropriation Law. The State Governor represented by the Deputy Governor of the State, His Excellency, Engr. Tele R. Ikuru, presented the proposal to the House.
“The House considered the Items as presented and resolved as follows that:1)in view of the proposal by His Excellency, the Governor to vire certain items in the Capital Expenditure in the 2013 Appropriation Law, the House do hereby approve and grant the request for the virement; and (2)the said virement does not increase the total sum of Four Hundred and Ninety Billion, Three Hundred and Twenty Million (N490,320,000,000.00);
“The House reiterated its loyalty to the leadership of the Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Daniel Amachree and the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi” the statement said.
