Oborevwori To Lawmakers: Let Us Conclude All Outstanding Legislative Assignments

As the 7th Delta State Assembly draws to a close, the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has urged members to use the remaining few weeks to conclude all outstanding legislative assignments.

Rt Hon Oborevwori gave the charge on Tuesday, at the Hallowed Chamber, while addressing the Lawmakers during plenary of the House.

It was the first time the Speaker was presiding at plenary after his declaration as Delta State Governor Elect.

Welcoming members to the plenary, the Governor Elect and Speaker reminded the Lawmakers that they are at the last lap of the Seventh Assembly and stressed the need for the various House committees to expedite actions on all outstanding legislative assignments before them.

According to him; “Dear colleagues, today’s plenary is unique in the history of Delta State House of Assembly. It is the first time since the inception of the House that a Speaker of the House is presiding in plenary as a SPEAKER and also being the Governor-elect of the State. This is a groundbreaking feat for the Legislature in the State. You will recall that in the second week of February, 2023 the House adjourned to enable Members vying for elective positions at both national and State levels to fully embark on campaigns for the elections. Though, we have since resumed plenary, however, this is the first plenary of the House I am presiding over as a Speaker after my declaration by INEC as Governor-Elect of our dear State. To God be the Glory”.

“Specifically, the Presidential and National Assembly elections were held on Saturday, 25th February, 2023 and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly on Saturday, 18th March, 2023. The elections have come and gone, and I wish to congratulate our party members (the PDP) who won and those who lost gallantly. Nonetheless, I wish to also congratulate those who have been elected to the 8th Assembly of this honourable House. Irrespective of your political affiliation, I look forward to partnering with you to advance Delta State to the next level of growth and development”, he added.

Rt Hon Oborevwori also said that; “Again, let me seize this opportunity to thank our traditional rulers, civil society groups, organized labour, religious leaders and followers, grassroots organisations, all PDP faithful, women, men, youths, and above all God Almighty for my resounding victory at the polls. I will continue to trust in God for the wisdom and guidance required to advance Delta State with my M.O.R.E Agenda. It is also important that I commend the security agencies that ensured the election was held in a peaceful and orderly atmosphere. Also noteworthy, are the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, for their diligence and courage in the face of threats and intimidation. You did well to deliver a free, fair and credible election in Delta State. My gratitude also goes to the various observer teams and the press for their Independent and unbiased reporting and assessment. Posterity will be kind to you”.

“At this juncture, I wish to single out the youth of Delta State for standing resolute behind my candidacy and conducting themselves with decorum. You have started something remarkable, and I want to assure you that the youth will play a role in my administration. By the special grace of God, I will be Governor to all and sundry. Distinguished colleagues, I invite you to join me in celebrating our unrivalled leader and performing Governor, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his revolutionary strides in human capital development, infrastructural renewal, and peace building. He has laid a solid foundation for the takeoff of the M.O.R.E Agenda. His monumental contribution to the success of the PDP in the just concluded elections in the State is unparalleled. I also wish to appreciate our leaders across Delta State for their show of love and support”, Rt Hon Oborevwori stated.

He further said that; “I have learnt many things in the past six years as Speaker of the House under the able leadership of Governor Okowa. One of them is that I have learnt the importance of setting the priorities of government, communicating goals and outcomes of policies and programmes, and pursuing them with relentless zeal. I certainly believe that my rich experience in the Executive and Legislative arms of government put me in a better position to deliver on my campaign promises and provide good governance to our people. My goal is to make life richer, better, and more fulfilling for all through the M.O.R.E Agenda. Mine is a mandate for consolidation and growth, investment and economic reform in advancing Delta”.

The Speaker said that; “Distinguished colleagues, as we resume plenary today, we should remember that we are at the last lap of the Seventh Assembly. We have few weeks to the end of our tenure. Let us endeavour to conclude on all outstanding legislative assignments in our various Committees. The Seventh Assembly has done very well in lawmaking, representation of constituents and oversight of other arms of government. I will reserve enumeration of our achievements till the valedictory Session. On this note, I would like to express my appreciation to Honourable Members for their unflinching support to the leadership of the House. Together, we have propelled the House to an enviable height in the comity of State Houses of Assembly in the country. We have also made history together as the Legislature that has produced a Governor of the State in our time. Congratulations to all of us”.

He specially thanked the management and staff of the House, led by the Clerk of the House, for their support to him, the leadership and members of the House, adding that; “The entire staff stood resolute behind me through the thick and thin of the electioneering process. Thank you for believing in me and I promise that the Legislature will always occupy the prime place in my heart”.

He said that; “As you will recall, after my victory, I made a promise to the Staff of the House that the leadership of the House led by me will immediately embark on maintenance and renovation of the Assembly complex. I also promised to provide furniture and office equipment to staff for effective discharge of their duties. And very importantly, I made a promise to also train the staff and management to further enhance their capacity for effective service delivery. I am glad to inform you today that the trainings for staff and management of the House have been done and dusted within the last two weeks. Furthermore, furniture and office equipment are being supplied to staff offices. Meanwhile, the maintenance and renovation of the Assembly Complex is ongoing. I want to reiterate that I am a promise keeper. Consistency and reliability will be one of the pillars of my administration. “I TALK AND I DO.”Once again, I welcome you to plenary and thank you for your kind attention. God bless you”.

Meantime, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Tuesday forwarded four bills to the Delta State House of Assembly for processing and possible passage into law.

They include a Bill to Amend the Delta State High Court Law 2021, a Bill to Repeal the State School of Marine Technology Burutu and enact Delta State Polytechnic, Burutu, a Bill for law to provide for Creative Industry Development Fund and a Bill to Repeal Delta State School of Technologya law 2022 and enact College of Health Sciences and Technology law 2023.

Also at plenary, the Delta State Sickle Cell Disorder Bill 2023 was read the second time after an extensive debates on its merits as led by the Majority Leader, Ferguson Onwo.