Delta Speaker, PDP Guber Candidate, Oborevwori Gives Account As Assembly Marks 3rd Anniversary

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has given a graphic details of the achievement of the state Assembly under his stewardship in the past seven years.

Oborevwori spoke at the media briefing to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of the 7th Assembly, held on Friday, June 10th, 2022 at the Press Centre of the Delta State House of Assembly.

He had recently emerged the governorship candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) making him the first Speaker to emerge as gubernatorial candidate since inception of the Assembly.

“This is the first time, a Speaker of the House was addressing the press on the activities of the House to mark its anniversary as Honourable Speaker and at the same time, a Gubernatorial candidate, he said on Friday while addressing the press.

Saying “Together we have made history for ourselves”, Oborevwori said that he was highly elated to address the press on the activities of the 7th Assembly during its 3rd session which ended on the 9th of June.

Describing the day as a “momentous and historic”, Oborevwori, who is also the National Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, said that the 7th Assembly since its inauguration in June 2019, had dutifully continued to perform its constitutional role of law making, representation and oversight of other arms of government.

“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.

According to him, in the course of the 3rd Session of the7th Assembly, lawmakers in the State reaffirmed their commitment in contributing 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 the people.

He said; “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”.

The Speaker, who was flanked by Principal officers of the House, disclosed that during the period under review, the House received a total of twenty five Bills; fifteen Executive Bills and ten Private Members’ Bills.

He said that out of this number, twenty one Bills were passed; fifteen Bills plus one Bill received by the House in the First Session, but passed in the Third Session were assented to by the State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

Six of the Bills are awaiting assent while three are still undergoing consideration by the House. The House also approved 85 motions and resolutions in the period under review, he added.

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”.

“Bills at different stages of consideration: 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.

The House, he pointed out, could not have achieved this feat without the support of Governor Okowa.

According to him, under his watch, Delta State was among the first states to operate financial autonomy in the three arms of government and that respect of the Governor 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.

While also commending his colleagues for their unity of purpose, the Speaker said; “Their exemplary support for the leadership of the House has turned the Delta State House of Assembly into one big family and the most vibrant State House of Assembly in the country”.

“I cannot forget the immense contributions and cooperation of management and staff of the Assembly for the success recorded so far. In the same vein, let me sound our appreciation to Deltans, residents and constituents for their love, prayers and support for the Legislature. We will not take your mandate and trust for granted”, he stated.

“As we begin a new Session today, we will remain committed to the service of our people with all sense of responsibility and accountability. We will continue to apply ourselves to the job we are elected to do, so that together with the Executive, we shall FINISH STRONG”.