Delta Assembly Passed 18 bills in 12 months – Speaker

BY PATRICK OGBOGU

The Delta State House of Assembly received a total of 34 bills out of which 10 were executive bills, while 24 were private member bills within the second session of the 6th Assembly.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori stated this during a press briefing today to mark the second year anniversary of the 6th assembly held at the Press Centre, Assembly Complex, Asaba.

He said out of the 34 bills received in the last 12 months, twelve has been assented to by the governor with six awaiting assent, while sixteen others were at different stages of deliberation.

He said that some of the bills, which had been assented to by the governor included the Delta State Economic Planning Council Amendment Law, 2015 and the Delta State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy Law; Delta State Security Trust Fund Amendment Law; Anti-terrorism and anti-cultism law; and Delta State Tourism Board Law.

Oborevwori said that the Delta Structure for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law; Delta State Public Procurement Commission Agency Law; Delta State Appropriation Law; Delta State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Amendment Law and Anti-kidnapping and Hostage bill were also passed into law among others.

He said that bills awaiting the governor’s assent included the Delta State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS Bill, 2016; Delta State Bureau for Lands Instrument Preparation Charges Bill; Delta State Development Agency bill; Delta State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority Amendment bill; Delta State College of Education, Mosogar bill and Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice Bill.

Oborevwori assured the governor that the assembly would continue to maintain a cordial working relationship with the executive arm of government.

He further assured the people of the state of the assembly’s readiness to improve on its performance as it commenced the third legislative year.

Oborevwori listed some of the remaining 17 bills, which were at the various committee stages to include Delta State Collection of Metal Steels Scraps Fees bill; Delta State Consumer Rights Protection Agency bill; Delta State Illegal and Unauthorized of Levy and Extortion Prohibition bill; Delta State Centre for Rural and Social Development Studies, Otorho-Abraka bill amongst others.

The Speaker explained that 2 bills were withdrawn by leave of the House, while one failed at the first reading, assuring that the assembly would continue to do that which was expected of them as lawmakers and representatives of the people.

“We are aware that the people of the state are looking forward to the delivery of more dividends of democracy and it is in our place to make it happen.

“Despite the harsh economic situation which has affected service delivery, the assembly remains committed to providing effective representation to our constituencies,’’ he said.

Oborevwori said that the House experienced some challenges which resulted to unavoidable change in the leadership of the House, adding that the members were more united to face the tasks ahead.

While noting that the House had performed creditably well, Oborevwori commended Gov Okowa for his assistance towards the progress of the state legislature, adding that the media had equally been a liable partner in progress.

The Speaker assured that the House was determined to improve on its performance by the next parliamentary year and promised to maintain the cordial relationship between the legislature and other arms of government and would engage in deliberations and matters that would improve the fortune of the state.

Meantime, the member representing Aniocha South constituency, Hon Angela Nwaka has stated that the 6th Assembly has performed creditably well in line with its business of law-making and oversight functions.

Hon Nwaka who made the statement while speaking on the second anniversary of the 6th assembly, noted that the number of bills received by the House and assented into law by Governor Okowa was a clear testimony of the performance of the lawmakers.

The female lawmaker said she has sponsored one major bill and co-sponsored some bills for the good of Deltans, adding that she had equally carried out some oversight functions on ministries as Chairman, House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs and Social Development before the committees were dissolved by the present leadership of the House.

Nwaka pledged her commitment to legislate for the peace and good governance of the state, while thanking her constituent for their prayers and supports over the years, adding that she will remain focus to ensure her constituent get what is due to them.