From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Rivers State sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas (retd), Friday appealed to the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee over-sighting the state for more time to submit a brief on the state.
Ibas made the appeal when he appeared before the lawmakers, in response to the panel’s summon, to brief it on the state of affairs in Rivers State following the emergency rule in the state.
The sole administrator was originally scheduled to appear before the panel on April 17, but his appearance was rescheduled for Thursday. Nonetheless, Ibas failed to turn up.
lbas, while addressing the lawmakers, apologised to the panel for his failure to honour its summon earlier, saying it was not deliberate.
According to him, “I deeply regret my inability to attend earlier engagements with this esteemed committee, like you rightly said. Today is exactly 10 days after the first invitation and in between, we’ve had four days that were off calendar as public holidays plus the weekends inclusive.
“The absence, of course, was not out of disregard, but rather due to the weighty and urgent demands of stabilising governance in a state under a declared emergency.
“I have always held the National Assembly in the highest regard. I recognise the importance of your oversight responsibilities and your interest in the progress being made in River State, which is presently relatively calm, but still fragile. “That said, I only request your understanding and the indulgence of this committee to grant me additional time to adequately prepare and present a comprehensive and constructive briefing.
“Given the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the current transitional period in River State, it is important that any engagement with this committee is done with the depth, accuracy and clarity it rightfully deserves.”