PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED DELTA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW HOLDS

A public hearing on the Delta State Environmental Conservation Bill has been held as part of the legislative process of making the environmental conservation law.

The public hearing held at the State House of Assembly Complex, Asaba and presided over by the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas, Hon Ekpotuareyin Pullah, was attended by critical stakeholders, including the lead sponsor of the bill, Hon Emomotimi Guwor representing Warri South West in the House.

Stakeholders who made both written and oral presentations, include the State Ministries of Environment, Justice, Oil and Gas, and Urban Renewal as well as some oil prospecting companies operating in Delta state.

There were divergent views on whether or not the proposed law should be made, even as some of the participants suggested amendments to some of the clauses to make the proposed law more encompassing for effective implementation.

The Chairman, Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas Hon Ekpotuareyin Pullah, who represents Burutu two constituency in the House, said there should be a conservation law to manage the environment.

Pullah and other members of the committee who spoke, including Hon Anthony Elekeokwuri,explained that the public hearing was to seek the inputs of major stakeholders to the proposed law.

The Lawmakers assured that all the suggestions and proposals advanced by stakeholders during the public hearing would be critically examined in putting together the final report of the Committee on the bill.

The lead sponsor of the bill, Hon Emomotimi Guwor, expressed  optimism of early passage of the bill for a law to conserve the environment.

Guwor who is the Chairman, House Committee on DESOPADEC, stated that Deltans were awaiting the making of the new law, stressing that its implementation would help address several environmental challenges in the state.

He commended the State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas for organizing the public hearing and stakeholders in the Environment sector for their far reaching contributions and presentations.

The Legislator gave an assurance that the remaining legislative process would be concluded as soon as possible.

Guwor said the Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas was expected to submit its report to the House to allow for further scrutiny by the Committee of the Whole before the third reading and passage of the proposed law.