Six bills which have been passed into law by Delta State House of Assembly are awaiting assent of the state governor, Rt Honourable Sheriff Oborewovori.
Announcing this while briefing newsmen on the first anniversary of the 8th assembly in Asaba, the speaker, Rt Hon Dennis Emomotimi Guwor listed the bills to include Delta State Merit Award Bill, 2023, Delta State Social Investment Programme Bill, 2023, Delta State Persons with Disability Bill, 2023, Delta State Polytechnic Burutu (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Delta State Administration of Civil Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
These, he said, are aside from the Supplementary Appropriation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, an additional Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2022, and the Appropriation Bill, 2024.
According to him, a total of fifteen Executive Bills and three Private Members Bills were received, out of which nine had been passed and three assented to.
The speaker also listed pending bills to include Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Bill, 2024, Delta State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Delta State Film and Video Control’s Board Bill, 2024.
Others are Delta State Registration and Regulation of Private Veterinary Clinics Bill, 2024, Special Offences Court (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Delta State Pet Control and Responsible Ownership Bill, 2024, Delta State Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Bill, 2024 and Delta State Electricity Power Sector Bill, 2024 while Delta State Merit Award Scheme Bill, 2023 was withdrawn by the sponsor.
He said the resolution called on the governor to set out security measures in place to forestall a recurrence of the destruction of farmlands and produce by herdsmen in Abraka and its Environs as well as ensure that the peace, love, and order that is presently prevailing in the communities be maintained was made.
Similarly, he stated, a motion condemning rising incidence of open sex trade and use of illicit drugs among youths in Asaba and its environs and another 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 were taken
On welfare of the assembly workers, Guwor said: “Let me use this opportunity to reiterate that the welfare of staff of the State Assembly Service Commission is a priority to the leadership and members of the House.
“The incident of last week(strike by the workers) 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 its workforce through training and retraining. We enjoy good working relationship with the staff of the House.
“I must also put it on record that the 8th 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.”
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM TheWitness
