Delta State House of Assembly has said the promise, expectations, and a commitment to deepen democracy and enhance good governance in the state, with which it commenced a new legislative journey in 2023, on the strength of the people’s trust and confidence, have been largely fulfilled.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, stated this in Asaba at a press briefing to mark the 2nd anniversary of the 8th Assembly of the State Legislature.
Guwor said one striking feature of this Assembly was its Legislative Agenda – a strategic policy document of the House, consciously tagged “Our Bond with Deltans”, in which it restated commitment to accountability and transparency in all its actions as a House.
He emphasized that lawmaking, representation and oversight of other arms of government were the constitutional duties of the House, pointing out that In the second session under review, members of the 8th Assembly prioritized representation, while not neglecting lawmaking and oversight.
The Speaker disclosed that the 8th Assembly strategically aligned with the Executive arm in delivering infrastructural and human capital development in all the twenty nine constituencies in the state, which it achieved through the power of appropriation enshrined in section 121 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as altered).
Guwor stated that the House subjected the 2025 Appropriation Bill, presented by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to scrutiny and analysis, and appropriated funds, for implementation of the policies, programmes and projects of government, in line with the M.O.R.E Agenda, stressing that all the 29 constituencies in the state
benefited from the appropriation of funds by the House in terms of government projects.
He said to ensure that the bills processed and passed by the House met international standard, capacity building of the bureaucracy, by way of training and retraining, was organized for staff, legislative aides of members, as well as Honourable members themselves.
The Speaker announced the approval and release of funds for the training of the entire staff of the House and the State Assembly Commission this year, adding that the State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, had also approved the payment of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for staff of the Legislature to enhance their welfare and service delivery.
Guwor said the Assembly demonstrated uncommon diligence and unity of purpose in the discharge of its legislative duties, as it received, considered and passed a number of impactful bills to promote education, healthcare, youth empowerment, infrastructural development, environmental protection, security and economic development.
Specifically, he stated that the House received eight Executive and eight Private Member’s bills out of which seven were passed and six assented to by the Governor; while one was being prepared for the assent of the Governor, and the remaining eight undergoing consideration by the House.
“The bills passed and assented to by the Governor are:
1. Delta State Child Rights’ (Amendment) Law, 2024
2. 2023 Amended Revised Appropriation Law, 2024
3. Delta State College of Health Technology Ovrode Law, 2024
4. Southern Delta University, Ozoro ( Establishment) Law, 2024
5. Appropriation Law, 2025
6. Supplementary Appropriation Law, 2024
7. Delta State Polytechnic Burutu (Amendment) Law, 2024
8. Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Law, 2024
9. Delta State Structure for Signage and Advertisement Agency (Amendment) Law, 2024
10. Delta State Film and Video Censor’s Board Law, 2024
11. Delta State Registration and Regulation of Private Veterinary Clinics Law, 2024
12. Special Offences Court (Amendment) Law, 2024
13. Delta State Pet Control and Responsible Ownership Law, 2024
14. Delta State Human Trafficking ( Prohibition) Law, 2024
15. Delta State Electricity Power Sector Law, 2024.
“Similarly, during the period under review, the House received a total of seventy-two motions out of which sixty-nine were approved”, the Speaker stated.
He said beyond lawmaking, the 8th Assembly had remained steadfast in performing its oversight functions, by ensuring that the Executive arm of government delivered on its policies, programmes and projects, and had visited project sites, interrogated budget performance, and held public hearings to promote transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.
“Again, in our representative role, we have maintained close contact with our constituents, bringing their concerns to the floor of the House, and ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs addressed.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I wish to let you know that the 8th Assembly has enjoyed steady and meaningful progress. Surely, we are one big family under the Renewed Hope for M.O.R.E Agenda of Mr. President, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and our dear Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, respectively.
“Let me specially thank His Excellency, the Governor, for his progressive leadership, and for the synergy and cordial working relationship between the House and the Executive. We have enjoyed tremendous independence and support from the Governor in doing our work.
“I want to also extend my heartfelt appreciation to my Honourable colleagues for their unwavering support, cooperation, and dedication. Their patriotism and steadfastness to our Legislative Agenda have been the engine of our achievements. I cannot wish for a better set of colleagues than them.
“Let me also thank the management and staff of the Assembly for their diligence and hard work. In the same vein, I also thank our legislative aides for their continued support to members. I wish to equally extend my appreciation to our constituents, whose prayers, support and trust have made our work meaningful.
“Gentlemen of the Press, I cannot thank the media enough for always giving visibility to the activities of the House. Through the network of your medium, the debate, resolutions and proceedings of the House are easily accessible by our constituents. You make our work easy.
“Finally, I wish to thank God Almighty for the success of the Second Session of the 8th Assembly. To Him alone be all the glory.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as the 8th Assembly begins the Third Session, we will continue to legislate for the development, peace and progress of Delta State.
“On this note, I thank you all for honouring our invitation and for your kind attention”, the Speaker concluded.
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