PRESS
STATEMENT GIVEN TODAY, WEDNESDAY JUNE 8, 2016, BY THE SPEAKER, DELTA STATE
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, RT. HON. MONDAY OVWIGHO IGBUYA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIRST
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE SIXTH ASSEMBLY AT DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
PRESS CENTRE.
Gentlemen of the Press,
On behalf of my colleagues and the good people of
Delta State (whom we represent), I warmly welcome you to this press briefing on
the activities of the Delta State House of Assembly over the past one year.
I must commend your 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.
Before I proceed with the business of the day, let
me quickly thank my colleagues and the staff of this Assembly for their
cooperation and contributions to the smooth running of the business of the
House.
We thank the Almighty God for giving us good health
and strength to carry on with our task of Lawmaking.
I must also use this medium to pay glowing tribute
to the good men and women, who contributed to the efficient functioning of this
House thus far.
We have been through thick and thin together and
have pulled through it all as one big family. Our victory is perhaps assured
because the general interest of the people has always been our paramount
concern.
The primary assignment of members of the Sixth
Assembly of Delta State is to project the will of the various constituencies
and to make laws that will engender good governance.
With regard to the above, I can say with great
humility that the Sixth Assembly has recorded modest achievements which are
summarized below:
1. The House received a total
of twenty-three bills (23), out of which, ten (10) have been passed into
law;
2. A total of fifty-three (53)
motions were received and fifty two (52) approved;
3. Eighteen (18) reports have
so far been received and adopted; and
4. A number of other issues are
before different committees for consideration.
Bills Received by the House are:
1) Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Law
(Amendment), 2015;
2) Delta State Contributory Health Commission Bill,
2015;
3) Delta State Bureau of Land Instrument Preparation
Charges Bill, 2015;
4) Appropriation (Amendment) Bill, 2015
5) Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission
Bill, 2015;
6) Delta State Community Service Bill, 2015; 6)
Delta State Economic Planning Council (Amendment) Bill, 2015;
7) The Delta State Public Procurement Commission
(Amendment) Bill, 2015;
8) Delta State Agency for Control of HIV and AIDS
Bill, 2015;
9) Appropriation Bill, 2016;
10) Delta State Structure for Signage and
Advertisement Agency Bill, 2016;
11) Delta State Advisory Council on the Prerogative
of Mercy Bill, 2016;
12) Delta State Security Trust Fund (Amendment)
Bill, 2016;
13) Delta State Anti-kidnapping Bill, 2016;
14) Delta State Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism
Bill, 2016;
15) Delta State Investment Development Agency Bill,
2016;
16) Delta State Scholarship Board Bill, 2016;
17) Delta State Violence Against Persons
(Prohibition) Bill, 2016;
18) Delta State Hotels and Restaurants Bill, 2016;
19) Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice
Bill, 2016;
20) Delta State Internal Revenue Consolidation
(Amendment) Bill, 2016;
21) Delta State Public Procurement Commission
(Amendment) Bill, 2015
(22) Delta State Agricultural and Rural Development
Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2016
The Governor has so far assented to:
1) Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Law
(Amendment), 2015;
2) Appropriation Law, 2016;
3) Delta State Contributory Health Commission Law
2015;
4) Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency
Law, 2015; and
5) Delta State Technical and Vocational Education
Board Law, 2015
The under-listed have been forwarded to the State Governor, Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, for assent:
1) The Delta State Economic Planning Council
(Amendment) Bill, 2015;
2) Delta State Anti-kidnapping Bill, 2016;
3) Delta State Advisory Council on the Prerogative
of Mercy Bill, 2016; and
4) Delta State Security Trust Fund (Amendment) Bill,
2016
Gentlemen of the Press, the House of Assembly is
conscious of the yearning of Deltans for quick delivery of the dividends of
democracy. Although dwindling oil revenue has impacted negatively on
our economy and has consequently limited the capacity of government to meet
basic commitments, we remain committed to giving the best representation to our
various constituencies and the state in general.
Permit me to use this medium to strongly commend His
Excellency, Senator, Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, for his unwavering support for
the Assembly. 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.
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.
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.
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 Mrs. Nkechi
Chukwura has been recalled.
Here at the Delta State House of Assembly, the will
of the people is speedily carried out.
We strongly believe that our legacies would not be
defined by how long we stay in the House or by whatever position we occupy. It
will be defined by what we did with this great opportunity given to us by our
people.
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.
Gentlemen of the press, I cannot thank you enough
for your friendship and service to the House and our beloved state.
Thank you.
Rt. Hon.
(Chief) Monday Ovwigho Igbuya
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