Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has accounted the many achievements of the seventh Assembly, three years after session resumed.
Oborevwori made this known while briefing Pressmen ahead of the third anniversary of the seventh Assembly on Friday June, 10, 2022 in Asaba, Delta State.
He said the unity and robust relationship he shared with other lawmakers had led to their success story in the state House of Assembly.
He stated that in the course of the third Session of the Seventh Assembly, the lawmakers had contributed efficiently and effectively, legislative actions and programmes geared towards infrastructural development, empowerment schemes for youth and women, free maternal health, free basic and secondary education, peace and security for Deltans.
While highlighting their successes, challenges and prospects in the last session, the Speaker said despite the challenges of the new normal brought about by the Covid-19, in the Third Session, the 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.
The Speaker also said that in the period under review, the House has maintained and sustained cordial relationship with the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria ( PASAN) and a cordial working relationship with the Press, whom they recognized their importance in the development of democracy.
While commending the support of the state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, he said that his respect for the doctrine of separation of power among the three arms of government has resulted in economic growth, job creation, infrastructural development, peace and security in the State.
He also stated that the state was among the first states that operated financial autonomy in the three arms of government.
While highlighting the activities of seventh Assembly, he said since it’s inauguration in June 2019, the state House of Assembly had continually performed it’s constitutional role of law making, representation and oversight of other arms of government.
He added that in the discharge of their duties as lawmakers they had 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 government’.
Speaking, Oborevwori said that during the period under review, the House received a total of twenty five Bills; fifteen Executive Bills and ten Private Members’ Bills. Out of this number, twenty one Bills were passed; sixteen Bills received by the House in the First Session but passed in the Third Session were assented to by the state governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
The Speaker stated that some of the Bills passed and assented were; 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.
He added that six of the Bills were awaiting assent while three were still undergoing consideration by the House and that 85 motions and resolutions had been approved by the House in the period under review.
While speaking, he said the event was an historic one, as it was the first time a Speaker of the House would address the Press on the activities of the seventh Assembly as Mr. Speaker and at the same time a gubernatorial candidate.
