A bill seeking to establish an agency to preserve historical sites in Rivers State has passed the first reading on the floor of Rivers State House of Assembly.

Also, other bills that scaled first reading were Rivers State Pension Reform Law Amendment Bill, 2022 and the Rivers State Coroner’s System Bill, 2022.

The sponsor of the bill (Rivers State Heritage Preservation Agency Bill, 2022), Martins Amaewhule, member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency I, who is also the leader of the House, noted that the bill intends to establish an agency, with a governing board appointed by the governor, that would be responsible for the recognition and preservation of historical sites in the State.

The Speaker of the House, Ikuinyi-Ibani Awaji, who described the bill as well conceived, recalled how Nigerians paid visit to tourist sites in other countries, saying it was time Nigerians replicate the same in the state to earn revenue.

He, however, referred the bill to House Committee on Culture to conduct a public hearing and report back to the House.