Delta Speaker Guwor Marks First Anniversary, Highlights House of Assembly Achievements [Full Text]

Rt. Hon. Guwor Emomotimi Dennis, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, addressed a press briefing on June 4, 2024, marking the first anniversary of the 8th Assembly. During the event held at the Assembly Chapel in the Legislators’ Quarters, Asaba, Speaker Guwor outlined the accomplishments of the Assembly over the past year.

Key achievements include the drafting and adoption of the 8th Legislative Agenda, screening and confirming nominees for various state agencies, boards, and commissions, and the passage of several important bills. Guwor praised the collaboration between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, emphasizing their role in supporting Governor Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda.

The Speaker highlighted significant motions passed by the Assembly, such as those addressing security measures, prohibiting the use of styrofoam, and condemning illicit activities among youths. Additionally, he reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to the welfare of its staff and the ongoing capacity-building efforts through training programs.

Read full address below:

AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY RT. HON. GUWOR EMOMOTIMI DENNIS, SPEAKER DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AT A PRESS BRIEFING ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE EIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, ON TUESDAY, 4TH JUNE, 2024 AT THE ASSEMBLY CHAPEL, LEGISLATORS’ QUARTERS ASABA.

Protocols:
Deputy Speaker,
Principal officers,
Honourable Members,
Acting Clerk,
Management and Staff of the House,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is my profound honour to welcome you to this Press Briefing. Beginning today, the House is flagging off the celebration of the First Anniversary of the Eight Assembly.

On the 13th of June, 2023 the Eight Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly was inaugurated. To celebrate the momentous First Anniversary of the Eight Assembly, series of activities have been lined up to commemorate the Anniversary. Today is set aside to brief the Press on the achievements of the House in the last one year. The journey so far has been that of steady progress , purposeful and impactful Legislative year.

As we roll the drums to celebrate our one year anniversary, we cannot but appreciate the immense support of His Excellency, Rt. Hon.( Elder) Sheriff F.O.Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State, in ensuring the ease of performing our legislative duties. Similarly, I must commend my esteemed ebullient able team of Principal officers and dependable Honourable members , for their unflinching support and encouragement, which has led to our outstanding success. I say a big kudos also to the bureaucracy of the Legislature in helping in ensuring and sustaining the efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery in the Assembly.

The Eight Assembly just like the preceding Assemblies of the Delta State House of Assembly, has lived up to our well established slogan, ” the most vibrant House of Assembly in the country”. We have not in any way lowered the bar, rather we have raised the bar.This is evident in the drafting and adoption of the 8th Legislative Agenda, which of course is a well thought out Legislative policy trust, that is both responsible and responsive and in alignment with the policy direction of the M.O.R.E Agenda. The 8th Legislative Agenda will be unveiled on Sunday, 9th June, 2024 at the reception after the Thanksgiving Service.

In the past one year, it has been giant strides of impactful and strategic Legislative partnership engagement ,interventions, cooperation and collaboration with the Executive and Judicial arms of government and other critical stakeholders in enhancing the implementation of the M.O.R.E Agenda of Governor Oborevwori’s administration.

In fulfillment of our constitutional duties, the House has screened and confirmed nominees for appointment as members of the State Executive Council and appointment into Government Agencies, Boards and Commissions. Some of the Agencies, Boards and Commissions are:

1. Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy,
2. Delta State Internal Revenue Service,
3. Delta State Local Government Service Commission,
4. Delta State Independent Electoral Commission,
5. Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency,
6. Delta State Contributory Health Commission,
7. Warri/Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency,
8. Direct Labour Agency (DLA),
9. Delta Broadcasting Services, Asaba,
10. Delta Broadcasting Services, Warri,
11. Delta State Waste Management Board,
12. Delta State Rural Development Agency,
13. Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board,
14. Delta State Universal Basic Education Board,
15. Delta State Post Primary Education Board,
16. Delta State Bureau for Pensions,
17. Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau,
18. Delta State Investment Development Agency,
19. Delta State Civil Service Commission, and
20. Auditor-General ( Local Governments).

The action of the House in screening and confirming the nominees into the above Agencies, Boards and Commissions is to ensure efficient and effective administration of government in the State. We do not stop at confirmation of these appointments, the House through her Committees regularly oversight activities of Ministries, Departments and
Agencies of the Government.

During the last one year, the House has also considered some notable motions and adopted resolutions enuring to the welfare and security of Deltans. For want of time, I will mention few of the Motions/resolutions:

1. Resolution calling on the Governor to (i) Set out security measures in place to forestall a recurrence of the destruction of farm lands and produce by Herdsmen in Abraka and its Environs which occurred on 17th August, 2023,and
   (ii) Ensure that the peace, love and order that is presently prevailing in the communities be maintained.
2. Motion condemning rising incidence of open sex trade and use of illicit drugs among youths in Asaba and Environs.
3. Motion calling on the Governor to prohibit the use of styrofoam (also known as polystyrene) as cups, plates or any form of packaging for food or beverages in the State.

In the period under review, the House received a total of eighteen Bills; fifteen Executive Bills and three Private Members Bills. Out of the eighteen Bills the following nine Bills have been passed and three assented to:

1. Supplementary Appropriation ( Amendment) Bill, 2022 – passed and assented to.
2. Additional Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2022 – passed and assented to.
3. Appropriation Bill, 2024 – passed and assented to.
4. Delta State Merit Award Bill, 2023 – passed and awaiting assent.
5. Delta State Social Investment Programme Bill, 2023 – passed and awaiting assent.
6. Delta State Persons with Disability Bill, 2023 – passed and awaiting assent.
7. Delta State Polytechnic Burutu ( Amendment) Bill, 2024 – passed and awaiting assent.
8. Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2024 – passed and awaiting assent.
9. Delta State Administration of Civil Justice( Amendment) Bill, 2024 – passed and awaiting assent.
   Eight of the remaining Bills are undergoing consideration before the House, while the last one was withdrawn by the sponsors. The list of the pending Bills are:
10. Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Bill, 2024.
11. Delta State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
12. Delta State Film and Video Control’s Board Bill, 2024
13. Delta State Registration and Regulation of Private Veterinary Clinics Bill, 2024.
14. Special Offences Court (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
15. Delta State Pet Control and Responsible Ownership Bill, 2024.
16. Delta State Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Bill, 2024.
17. Delta State Electricity Power Sector Bill, 2024.
18. Delta State Merit Award Scheme Bill, 2023 (HB.3) – withdrawn

These bills are intended to positively impact on Deltans in several ways, that is, in the social, economic, Justice and environmental sectors.

Let me use this opportunity to reiterate that the welfare of staff of the Assembly Service Commission is a priority to the leadership and Members of the House. The incident of last week is a fallout of a national issue about adoption of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure ( CONLESS). The State Government has set up a Committee to work out details of implementation. The Committee is already wrapping up the assignment. So, it is not a peculiar issue to Delta State House of Assembly. For the record, the State Government is not owing or in arrears of salary payment to the staff of the Assembly. The House has consistently built the capacity of her workforce through training and retraining of the staff. We enjoy good working relationship with the staff of the House.

I must also put it on record that the Eight Assembly is poised to deliver on its mandate of lawmaking, representation and oversight of government programmes, projects and policies. We will collaborate without compromising the independence of the Legislature, with the Executive arm of Government to ensure development gets to every part of the State.

The House will always support Government policies that will ameliorate the economic pains Nigerians cum Deltans have been subjected to in the last one. We trust that the M.O.R.E Agenda of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. ( Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, our dear Governor, will deliver dividend of democracy to our people.

As we move on to the second Session , we are more than ever before prepared and propelled to discharge our duties and responsibilities and ensure the policy trust of Government , which is in consonance with our Legislative agenda is fully implemented for the benefit and good of Deltans.

At this juncture, I want to commend the media for your good work. You have been a good partner with the House, in creating visibility and prominence for the Assembly’s activities in the media space, thank you so much. As members of the fourth estate of the realm and watch dog of society, I sincerely implore the media to use this vintaged position to support and safeguard the development and growth of the Legislature in order to deepen and sustain our democracy and democratic institutions. The Legislature is the hallmark of democracy, without the legislature there cannot be true democracy.

On this note, I want to thank you and use this opportunity to request you to join us and participate in the activities lined up to commemorate the First Anniversary of the Eight Assembly.

Finally, on behalf of the Leadership and Members of the House, I wish to thank His Excellency, Rt. Hon.( Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, Governor of Delta, for his support for the growth of the Legislature and for sustaining the cordial working relationship between the Legislature and the Executive arms of Government. And more especially for his avowed respect for the rule of law and the doctrine of separation of power.

Once again, thank you .

God bless the Delta State House of Assembly!
God bless Delta State !!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria !!!

Rt. Hon. Guwor Emomotimi Dennis
Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly

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