ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State House of Assembly has passed the first reading of the Delta State Prevention and Prohibition of Destruction and Vandalization of Public Properties and Public Assets Bill 2024. The bill, presented by Chief James Augoye, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts and representative of Okpe Constituency, was introduced during Tuesday’s resumed plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor.
Chief Augoye, a former Commissioner for Works, moved two separate motions seeking the House’s permission to introduce the bill for legislative consideration and to have it read for the first time. Both motions were unanimously adopted through voice votes. Speaker Guwor subsequently scheduled the second reading of the bill for Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
Alongside Chief Augoye, 19 other members are advocating for the enactment of a law aimed at preventing and prohibiting the destruction and vandalization of public properties and other assets in Delta State.
In addition to this bill, the House also conducted the first reading of the Delta State Domestic Staff Service Providers Registration Bill.
During the plenary, the Speakeannounced the formation of a seven-member Special Committee on Nutrition and Food Security. The committee will be chaired by Perkins Umukoro, the Chief Whip of the House and Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. Ferguson Onwo, representing Isoko South 2 State constituency, will serve as Deputy Chairman. Other members include Marylyn Okowa-Daramola (Ika North East), Bridget Anyafulu (Oshimili South), Festus Utuama (Ughelli South), Pereotu Oloye (Burutu 2), and Benson Obire (Warri South 2). Abigail Eseadi will serve as the committee’s secretary.
The Speaker noted that the committee’s creation responds to recommendations from a recent retreat by the Conference of Speakers. He emphasized the importance of addressing malnutrition and food insecurity, citing the communiqué from the retreat, which stated:
“Distinguished colleagues, I wish to inform you that arising from a retreat by the Committee on Nutrition and Food Security of the House of Representatives with Speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly and other stakeholders, held on 2nd to 4th May, 2024, it was observed that democratic governance, economic development, peace, and security in Nigeria cannot be sustained amidst malnutrition and food insecurity aggravated by increasing poverty and security challenges.”
Speaker Guwor directed the newly formed committee to work closely with the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security to foster synergy and receive technical support in addressing these critical issues.
