Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, says the 8th Assembly has remained steadfast in performing its oversight functions by ensuring that the Executive arm of government delivers on its policies, programmes and projects.
Guwor stated this during a press briefing on Friday at the Assembly Press Centre, House of Assembly Complex, Asaba, to herald activities to mark the Second Anniversary of the 8th Assembly under his watch
“We have visited project sites, interrogated budget performance, and held public hearings to promote transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.
“Two years ago, the 8th Assembly was inaugurated on the 13th of June, 2023. On the strength of the people’s trust and confidence, we commenced a new legislative journey, one filled with promise, expectations, and a commitment to deepen democracy and enhance good governance in our dear State.
“Today marks the end of the 8th Assembly midterm, and therefore, we are gathered here to kick-start activities to commemorate the end of the Second Session of the 8th Assembly,” said the Speaker.
He outlined activities lined up to celebrate the milestone to include a Press Briefing, Novelty Football Match between Delta State House of Assembly and members of the State Executive Council, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, on Saturday, June 21, 2025, and a thanksgiving Service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 34 Headquarters, Unity Model Parish, Behind Junior Staff Quarters, Asaba, which will followed by reception at the Legislators’ quarters, Okpanam Road, on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
According to the Speaker, “One striking feature of this Assembly is the “8th Assembly Legislative Agenda”, a strategic policy document of the House, consciously tagged “Our Bond with Deltans”. In that document, we restated our commitment to accountability and transparency in all our actions as a House.
“In the course of the Second Session, members of the 8th Assembly prioritized representation but not neglecting lawmaking and oversight. In this vein, 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.
“The House was able to achieve this feat through the power of appropriation enshrined in section 121 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered). In doing so, the House subjected the 2025 Appropriation Bill presented by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, to scrutiny and analysis, and appropriated funds, for implementation of the policy, programmes and projects of Government in line with the M.O.R.E Agenda.”
He noted that in the Second Session, members of the 8th Assembly has demonstrated uncommon diligence and unity of purpose in the discharge of their legislative duties.
“We have received, considered and passed a number of impactful bills and motions that directly touch the lives of Deltans. These are critical bills passed into laws to promote education, healthcare, youth empowerment, infrastructural development, environmental protection, security and economic development.
“The House received a total of sixteen Bills, eight Executive Bills and eight Private Member’s bills. Out of the sixteen Bills, seven were passed by the House and six of them were assented to by His Excellency, the Governor; while one is being prepared for the assent of the Governor. The remaining eight are undergoing consideration by the House. However, nine bills that were received by the House in the First Session scaled Third Reading and Passed and were also assented to by the Governor in the period under review. 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)
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 Vertinary 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.
“The culminative effect of all these laws is to entrench good governance, ensure the rule of law, instill Law and order, preserve the rights of the child, prevent human trafficking, promote the welfare and security of the people, provide more opportunity for tertiary education to the youth, ensure availability and accessibility of regular uninterrupted electricity supply to homes and businesses, facilitate development in all the key sectors of the State and generally ensure prosperity to all Deltans in line with the M.O.R.E Agenda.
“Similarly, in the period under review, the House received a total of seventy-two motions. And after robust debate by Members, sixty-nine were approved.
“During the Second Session, the House also received nominees for appointment as Honourable Commissioners and Members of the State Executive Council. After thorough screening by the House, the nominees were confirmed accordingly. Likewise, nominees for appointment as Chairmen/Director General/Members of Agencies, Boards and Commissions were received, screened and confirmed by the House.
“In order to strengthen the administration of the twenty-five Local Government Councils in the State, the House also received for screening, nominees for appointment as Secretaries to the Local Government Councils. The nominees were duly screened and confirmed according to extant laws.
“Furthermore, the House under this period also received six Petitions from some of our constituents on issues relating to seniority in appointment of head of personnel management in Isoko North; illegal dismissal from the services of Delta State University, Abraka; alleged illicit printing and sales of Delta State Local Government Council Motorized Emblem; alleged unjust termination of appointment and removal of name from the payroll of Hospital Management Board; alleged stoppage of salary and removal of name from the payroll of the Delta State Government by the Office of the Accountant General; and alleged trespass on cooperative landed properties in Achala Ibusa. These Petitions were referred to the Public Petitions Committee of the House. After thorough investigation and consideration by the Committee, following the due process of the law, reports of their findings and recommendations were laid before the House in plenary. These reports were subjected to critical debate by Members to ensure justice. The House passed resolutions to remedy the injustice in some Petitions that have merit and dismissed the ones without merit.
Specifically, the Speaker stated that the House concerned about some security breaches in parts of the state introduced a billl to amend the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency, Law, which has passed first and second reading and was recommitted to a Joint Committee of the House on Special Bills, and Peace and Security for in-depth consideration.
He noted “Lately, some parts of the State have experienced and have been inundated with security breaches and concerns. I wish to convey the sympathy of the House to the families of those who lost their loved ones to these unfortunate incidence. In response to this menace, the House has introduced a billl to amend the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency, Law. It has passed first and second reading and was recommitted to a Joint Committee of the House on Special Bills, and Peace and Security for in-depth consideration.
“The gravamen of the bill is recruitment of indigenes who are familiar with the terrain in each Local Government Area to assist Law enforcement agencies in providing intelligence and security in the State.”
The Speaker during the briefing seized the opportunity to comment on the issue pertaining to delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency, saying “Delineation of wards is part of the democratic process and therefore should not be a source of conflict among brothers and sisters. To everyone in Warri Federal Constituency, I urge restraint, dialogue, and maturity in the issue of ward delineation. The matter is already being handled by relevant Federal government agencies. Let us give peace a chance. Surely, peace is not weakness, it is strength guided by wisdom. Whether you are Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo, our unity remains our strength.”
