From: Paul Osuyi, Asaba

For the first time since he was elected as Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly on May 11, 2017, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori has attributed the impeachment of his successor, Mr. Monday Igbuya, to normal parliamentary practice.

Oborevwori told journalists, in Asaba, on Thursday, it was a traditional to constantly change the leadership of the legislature to provide dynamism.

“With the tradition in the legislature, change is constant, it is a normal parliamentary practice. The House is still one, we are united and still very vibrant,” he declared while fielding questions after briefing the press on the activities of the House in the past two years.

Oborevwori declared that the lawmakers have performed creditably well by all standards, and assured that despite harsh economic reality which has affected service delivery, the House is still committed to providing effective representation to the people.

“We cannot afford to fail our people. We will continue to do that which is expected of us as lawmakers. We will remain resolute in our collective goal of providing effective representation. We will continue to engage and consult with our people to allow them participate fully in the legislative process,” he assured.

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According to him, the House received 34 bills out of which ten were executive bills and 24 private bills in the past 24 months, adding that while 12 bills were assented to, six bills are awaiting assent and 18 bills are at committee stage.

He listed the bills assented to by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa  as Delta State Economic Planning Council (Amendment) Law,2015; Delta State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy Law, 2016; Delta State Security Trust Fund (Amendment) Law, 2016; Delta State Anti-Kidnapping Hostage Taking Law, 2016; Delta State Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism Law, 2016; Delta State Scholarship Board Law, 2016; Delta State Structure for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law, 2015; Delta State Public procurement Commission Agency Law, 2015.

Others are the Delta State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs (Amendment) Law, 2016; Delta State Schools of Nursing, the Midwifery, Delta State Appropriation Bill, 2017; Delta State Appropriation (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and; the Delta State Appropriation (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

The speaker said that the Delta State Bureau for Lands Investment Preparation Charges Bill, 2015; Delta State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS Bill, 2016; Delta State Investment Development Bill, 2016; Delta State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2017; Delta State College of Education, Mosogar Bill, 2016; and the Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2016 are among those awaiting assent.

While noting that 17 bills are at various committee stages, the speaker while others are at various stages, two were withdrawn by leave of the House and one failed at first reading.

He thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his unflinching support, noting that his favourable disposition towards the progress of the House was essentially inspired by the cooperative spirit existing between various arms of government in the state.