The Delta State House of Assembly has taken steps to control human and vehicular movements in the Assembly Complex, as part of measures to check the spread of the Corona virus in the state.
The Majority Leader and Chairman, House Committee on Information, Honourable Tim Owhefere, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the new order would affect Honorable members, political aides, civil servants and visitors to the Assembly Complex.
He said the House decided to resume plenary despite challenges posed by the Covid 19 pandemic because all precautions to ensure that the plenary was in line with government’s position on the prevention of the spread of the virus had been adopted.
The Majority Leader explained that the main chamber had been rearranged for not more than fifteen members to sit at a time, hence the adoption of sitting in batches and on rotational basis.
The lawmaker said for the time being, the nine principal officers and six other members, two from each of the three senatorial districts would be sitting, while non essential staff had been asked to stay away to ensure social distancing during plenary.
According to him, only a few accredited journalists would be allowed access to the press stand of the gallery.
Owhefere said wearing of face masks and regular jand washing had been made compulsory at the Complex, pointing out that the leadership of the Assembly had ensured strict adherence of all safety measures against the Covid 19 pandemic.
The lawmaker stated that because business of governance must continue, the leadership of the House needed to act wisely to reconvene by navigating through the circumstances at hand, noting that most measures put in place were temporary and would be phased out when things returned to normal.
The Majority Leader emphasized that with the threat by the Corona virus, the Delta State House of Assembly would continue to work in synergy with all critical stakeholders to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
He said the earlier lockdown of the state affected the consideration of pending bills before the House, disclosing that members were taken steps for immediate legislative actions on most of the bills, particularly those necessary for the smooth running of the economy of the state.
Owhefere said the Delta State Fiscal Responsibility Amendment Bill and the Delta State Public Procurement Bill passed by the House at its plenary on Thursday were part of efforts to keep the economy of the state going even as government tried to manage the Corona virus pandemic.
The legislator said the House would continue to partner with the executive to ensure peace, order and good governance in the state.
He expressed optimism that the Corona virus pandemic would soon fizzle out for normalcy to return to the society.
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