The Speaker, Delta
State House of Assembly, Rt. Monday Igbuya, Wednesday made a critical appraisal
of the Delta State House of Assembly, describing the Sixth Assembly as “the
most stable and promising.”
Igbuya who spoke in Asaba on the occasion of the
first anniversary celebration of the Sixth Assembly said the House received a
total of twenty-three bills (23), fifty-three (53) motions and eighteen (18)
reports.
Monday Igbuya, Delta Assembly speaker. |
He listed the Delta
State Oil Producing Area Development Law (Amendment), 2015, Delta
State Contributory Health Commission Bill, 2015, Delta State Bureau of Land
Instrument Preparation Charges Bill, 2015, Appropriation (Amendment) Bill,
2015, Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission Bill, 2015, Delta
State Community Service Bill, 2015; 6) Delta State Economic Planning Council
(Amendment) Bill, 2015, the Delta State Public Procurement Commission (Amendment)
Bill, 2015, Delta State Agency for Control of HIV and AIDS Bill, 2015,
Appropriation Bill, 2016, Delta State Structure for Signage and Advertisement
Agency Bill, 2016 and Delta State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy
Bill, 2016 as bills received by the assembly.
The House, according
to Igbuya, also received the Delta State Security Trust Fund (Amendment) Bill,
2016, Delta
State Anti-kidnapping Bill, 2016, Delta State Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism
Bill, 2016, Delta
State Investment Development Agency Bill, 2016, Delta
State Scholarship Board Bill, 2016, Delta State Violence Against Persons
(Prohibition) Bill, 2016, Delta State Hotels and Restaurants Bill, 2016, Delta
State Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2016, Delta State Internal
Revenue Consolidation (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Delta State Public Procurement
Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and Delta State Agricultural and Rural
Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Igbuya, in a joyous mood throughout the press conference,
said “The governor has so far assented to the Delta State Oil Producing Area
Development Law (Amendment), 2015, Appropriation Law, 2016,
Delta State Contributory Health Commission Law 2015, Delta State Capital
Territory Development Agency Law, 2015; and Delta State Technical and
Vocational Education Board Law, 2015
“The Delta State
Economic Planning Council (Amendment) Bill, 2015, Delta State Anti-kidnapping
Bill, 2016, Delta State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy Bill,
2016; and Delta State Security Trust Fund
(Amendment) Bill, 2016 have been forwarded to the state governor, Sen. Dr.
Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, for assent” he said.
Igbuya who spoke at
length about the yearning of Deltans for quick delivery of the dividends of
democracy, dwindling oil revenue and its negative impact on the economy and
capacity of government to meet basic commitments, described Governor Ifeanyi
Okowa as a blessing to Delta State.
“In my inaugural
address, I told the good people of the state that the legislature would
maintain cordial working relationship with the Executive. The Assembly has
since then enjoyed a harmonious relationship with the Executive, having so far
approved several requests of the governor. It screened and confirmed nominees
for appointment as commissioners of the Government of Delta State and several
other positions” he said.
Igbuya also spoke on
the sanitization of some local governments in the state.
“We must also not
forget the role of the Assembly in the sanitization of the Local Government
system. In the light of great insecurity and evidence of financial fraud,
occasioned by flagrant disregard for constituted authority, the House suspended
the Executive Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area. It subsequently set up
an adhoc committee to verify the authenticity of the various petitions levelled
against him. On grounds of financial recklessness, fraud and diversion of
funds, the House relieved the chairman of his duties as Executive Chairman and
Accounting Officer of Uvwie LGA”.
He continued; “Sequel
to the impeachment notice forwarded to the House by 12 of the 15 councilors of
Ndokwa East Local Government Area, the committee on Local Government and
Chieftaincy Affairs of the House suspended the Executive Chairman of the
council. This was necessary to give the House the opportunity to carry out a
thorough investigation into the issues raised. I am happy to inform you that sheis back to her seat”.
Focusing on
accountability and responsibility to the electorate, Igbuya said “Here at the
Delta State House of Assembly, the will of the people is speedily carried out”.
“In the second year of
the Sixth Assembly, we will focus on issues that will move us closer to the
dreams and aspirations of our founding fathers. We will continue to offer the
best representation to the people of Delta State. We will continue to support
government’s effort at guaranteeing peace, security and welfare of all Deltans.
We will strive to finish the work we have started. We will continue to put in
longer hours in debating and making the laws that would move our state forward.
We will welcome the battle of ideologies. We will encourage and engage in it,
openly, honestly, and respectfully”
Amidst intermittent
applause from Honourable members, staff of the assembly and journalists, Igbuya
said members of the Assembly would closely monitor the implementation of the
budget by providing effective oversight,
“We will continue to
keep faith with our duties of Law making, Representation and Oversight
functions of the Executive arm of government. We will continue to insist on
probity, accountability and efficiency in the implementation, monitoring and
evaluation of the 2016 Budget” he said.
He commended local and
foreign journalists for their efforts in bringing to the spotlight the activities,
deliberations, and resolutions of the House.
“Functions of the
press transcend entertainment, education and mere information dissemination.
Indeed, the role of the press in democratic dispensation and otherwise is to
bring about real political change through robust discourse”.
He also praised his
colleagues and the staff of the Assembly for their cooperation and
contributions to the smooth running of the business of the House.
No comments:
Post a Comment