The Rivers State Climate Change Bill has had its second reading, with Martin Amaewhule, speaker of the state House of Assembly, urging his colleagues to present a bill that would meet international standards.
Meanwhile, some communities in the state had sent petitions to the Assembly over oil spills and environmental degradation occasioned by the activities of oil exploration companies.
Dumle Maol, deputy speaker of the Assembly, while leading the debate on Rivers State Climate Change Bill on November 21, 2025, reiterated the importance of the bill to safer and healthier environment in the state.
He added that the participation of the House Committee on Environment at the just concluded COP30 Climate Change Conference would spur the House to enhanced legislation on the environment.
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Other members in separate arguments expressed overwhelming support for the passage of the bill.
Amaewhule, before committing the bill to the House Committee on Environment, held that given the plethora of benefits associated with the bill, the House would do everything within its legislative competence to ensure that Rivers State aligns with the global trend on climate change matters.
He added that though the Climate Change Bill was passed in the Ninth Assembly, it was not forwarded to the then governor for assent.
Amaewhule further mandated the House Committee on Environment to organise a robust public hearing for the bill and submit its report within three weeks.
Also, the Rivers State House of Assembly at its 30th Legislative Sitting on November 21, 2025, condemned the vandalism of public property and buildings, particularly the looting at the Township School, Port Harcourt,
Enemi Alabo George, the member representing Asari Toru Constituency 2, while presenting the issue before House via a motion, stated how yet to be identified persons vandalized classrooms, windows and doors, while looting ceiling fans, generators, learning aids and other valuable properties in the school.
He prayed the House to urge the Ministry of Education, chairman of the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, the Rivers State Police Command and community leaders to investigate and ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
Members, who contributed to the debate, condemned the school vandalism and expressed fear that such wicked act may disrupt academic activities and instil fear in the school community.
Amaewhule condemned the act by the vandals, and wondered how a school in the heart of Port Harcourt metropolis would be vandalized in such a primitive manner without the perpetrators being apprehended.
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He directed the House Committee on Education to visit the school and report to the House at the next sitting.
Amaewhule further committed three petitions: a petition against NNPCL over crude oil spillage at the Cawthorne Channel oil field in Degema Local Government, and incidents of fire outbreak resulting therefrom, and a petition against APP Companies for unjust treatment of their drivers to the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions to investigate and report to the House.
