By Emmanuel Enebeli
ASABA/Nigeria: The Speaker Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori had stated praised the commitments of the house in ensuring good governance in the state through effective legislative administration between the house and the executive arm of government.
The speaker stated this while addressing the press in the course of the 3rd anniversary of the 7th Assembly, on Friday 10, 2022 in Asaba.
The Speaker who was flanked by principle officers of the house, in the course of the briefing gave the scorecard of within the period under review, and said it had been a very successful year as many people oriented bills were passed for the development of the state.
Oborevwori stated that the bills passed were well scrutunised to see if it was for the good of the people before they were passed into law, which the governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa had assented to, especially the budgets from the state, ministries and agencies.
“We have demonstrated strong will in scrutinizing requests from the Executive arm of Government, ensuring passage of realistic Budgets, robust engagement with Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government, undertaking constituencies outreach, oversight of government’s projects and programmes, and passage of people oriented Bills into law for the development of the State”, he stated.
He further stated that he and his colleagues within the period under review, reaffirmed their commitment to contribute effectively and efficiently to programmes and policies that is geared towards infrastructure development, empowerment schemes for youths and women, health and other economic and social development of the people of Delta.
Oborevwori, who is the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the Governorship Election in 2023, and first to have such opportunity as the sitting Speaker to win such ticket, also used the occasion to thank members of the party for his emergence, stating its an historic day for the state.
“This is the first time a Speaker of the House is addressing the press on the activities of the House to mark its anniversary as Honourable Speaker and at the same time a gubernatorial candidate. Together we have made history for ourselves”.
He however acknowledged that there were some challenges in the course of the activities of the assembly within the period, especially with the new norms brought about by the Covid-19, which was also overcommed by the house in following the medical guidelines provided.
“As a House, this media briefing provides us an opportunity to showcase our successes, challenges and prospects in the last Session. Gentlemen of the press, despite the challenges of the new normal brought about by the Covid-19, in the Third Session, the Delta State House of Assembly was able to make remarkable progress in carrying out its constitutional legislative duties of lawmaking, representation and oversight functions without let or hindrance”.
He stated within the period the house was able to achieve good milestones in their work, as a total of 25 bills was received, which 15 was from the Executive, and 10 private bills, where 21 of the 25 bills were passed and had been assented into law by the Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
He listed the Bills passed and assented to include: Delta State University (Amendment) Law, 2021; Delta State Audit Law, 2021; Delta State House of Assembly Service ( Establishment etc ) Law, 2021; Delta State Printing and Publishing Corporation ( Amendment) Law, 2021; Delta State House of Assembly Fund Management ( Financial Autonomy) Law, 2021; Delta State Judiciary Fund Management ( Financial Autonomy) Law, 2021; Delta State Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Law, 2021; Delta State Supplementary Appropriation Law, 2021; Delta State Audit ( Amendment) Law, 2021; Delta State House of Assembly Commission ( Amendment) Law, 2021; Appropriation Law, 2021; Asaba Specialist Hospital Law, 2021; Delta State Debt Management Law, 2021; Delta State Erosion and Watershed Management Agency Law, 2021; Delta State Regulation of Community Development Association Law, 2021; and Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Law, 2021″.
“Bills passed and awaiting assent: Delta State Manufacture and Use of Cotonou Boats Bill, 2022; Delta State Public Finance Management Bill, 2022; Delta State HIV/AIDS Anti-discrimination and Protection Bill, 2022; Delta State Waterways Tax, Control and Licensing of Boats (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2022; Delta State Forfeiture of Property Bill, 2022; and Delta State Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) Bill, 2022”.
“While Bills at different stages of consideration are Delta State Electric Power Sector Reform Bill, 2022; Delta State Environmental Conservation Bill, 2020; and Delta State Farmers Registration, Monitoring and Certification Bill, 2022″, he added.
He also acknowledged the good relationship exhibited by the staff of the House, under the leadership of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, and political appointees, and the delta State government, as the house could not have achieved the feat without their supports.
