The 10th Rivers State House of Assembly’s legislative tour of the United Kingdom has officially begun, with Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule declaring the tour open on April 4, 2025. The five-day tour, which is taking place in Central London, focuses on “Legislative Dynamics in the Presidential and Parliamentary Systems”

Key Highlights of the Tour

• Objective: The legislative tour aims to improve the legislative capacity of members through learning and peer review. The tour provides an opportunity for members to gain valuable insights and experiences from the UK’s parliamentary system.
• Speakers’ Expectations: Principal officers and members of the House are optimistic about gaining valuable insights for parliamentary oversight. They believe that the tour will provide a platform for them to learn from their UK counterparts and improve their own legislative skills.
• Funding: The tour is 100% sponsored by concerned state leaders, with no government funding. This demonstrates the commitment of the state leaders to the development of the legislative arm of government.

Background

The Rivers State House of Assembly is a unicameral body with 32 members elected into 32 state constituencies. Its primary function is to enact laws for the peace, order, and good governance of Rivers State, as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution [1].

Acknowledgments

The House expressed gratitude to:

• His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON, GSSRS, Life Bencher: Political leader of Rivers State. The House appreciated his leadership and support for the legislative arm of government.
• Rivers State Elders Council: For their continued support despite the non-funding of the House by suspended Governor Siminalaye Fubara. The House acknowledged the council’s efforts in promoting good governance and development in Rivers State.

Conclusion

The 10th Rivers State House of Assembly’s legislative tour of the United Kingdom marks an important milestone in the development of the legislative arm of government in Rivers State. The tour provides an opportunity for members to learn from their UK counterparts and gain valuable insights and experiences that will improve their legislative skills. We wish the members a successful and productive tour.

Tour Schedule

• Day 1: April 4, 2025 – Central London
• Day 2: April 5, 2025 – London
• Day 3: April 6, 2025 – London
• Day 4: April 7, 2025 – London
• Day 5: April 8, 2025 – London

Key Takeaways

• The tour aims to improve the legislative capacity of members through learning and peer review.
• The tour is 100% sponsored by concerned state leaders, with no government funding.
• The House expressed gratitude to His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON, GSSRS, Life Bencher, and the Rivers State Elders Council for their continued support.