By Nkem Nwaeke
The 8th Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly will be inaugurated on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, to usher in a new era in the democratic governance of Delta state.
In line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered, the legislative programme would be performed by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori through a proclamation.
The Governor’s proclamation to constitutionally launch the dawn of the 8th Delta State Legislature, will be followed by the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House.
The two members elect that will emerge as Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be sworn in immediately, while the new Speaker will swear-in others.
The Acting Clerk of the State Legislature, Mr Otos Aghoghophia had in a statement that announced Tuesday’s date for the inauguration, said the epoch making event will be held at the Chamber of the Delta State Assembly Complex, Okpanam road, Asaba beginning at 10 O’clock in the morning.
The Delta State Legislature is a 29 member House, with each member- elect, representing the 29 state constituencies across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The members elect of the 8th Assembly as it presently stands is made up of 9 returning lawmakers from the 7th Assembly and 20 first timers.
The nine returning lawmakers, all elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, include Oboro Preyor, Bomadi, Ferguson Onwo, Isoko South Two, Festus Okoh, Ika South, Fred Martins, Warri North, Charles Emetulu, Ndokwa West, Emeka Nwaobi, Aniocha North, Austin Uroye, Warri South One, Emomotimi Guwor, Warri South West and Emmanuel Sinebe, Patani Constituency.
While the 20 first timers, include Arthur Akpowhowho, PDP Ethiope East, Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, PDP Ika North East, Blessing Achoja, APC Ethiope West, Prince Emeka Samuta, PDP Ndokwa East, James Augoye, PDP Okpe, Collins Egbetamah, APC Udu, Mathew Omonade, APC Ughelli North One, Spencer Ohwofa, APC Ughelli North Two, Frank Esenwah, PDP Oshimili North and Bridget Anyafulu, PDP Oshimili South.
Others are Isaac Anwuzia, PDP Aniocha South, Perkins Umukoro, PDP Sapele, Festus Utuama, PDP Ughelli South, Edafe Emakpor, APC Uvwie, Benson Obire, APC Warri South Two, Chukwudi Dafe, PDP Ukwuani, Pereotu Oloye, PDP Burutu Two, Bernard Odior, PDP Isoko North, Bino Obowomano, PDP Isoko South One and Anthony Alapala, APC Burutu one Constituency.
The immediate past Speaker of the House, now Governor, Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori had in a goodwill message during the opening session of an induction programme for the members elect for the 8th Assembly in Abuja, said expectations are high, hence efforts to ensure that the Delta State Legislature maintain its leading position amongst States Assembly in Nigeria.
The then Clerk of the House, Mrs Lyna Ocholor, also at the pre-induction programme explained that the members elect are expected to have sound knowledge of lawmaking procedures, oversight functions as well as rules and standing orders of the House.
Mrs Ocholor said the Delta State Assembly prides itself as the most vibrant House in the country, emphasizing that there was the need to enhance the enviable track records in the 8th Assembly.
The pre-induction course featured such topics as “Powers, Privileges, Immunities and Limitations of the Legislature, “Principles of Separation of Powers and Doctrine of Checks and Balances, “General Functions of the Legislature and Role of a Lawmaker, “Introduction to Standing Orders of the Delta State House of Assembly, “The Committee System and Oversight Process in the Legislature, “An overview of the Appropriation Process, “Role of the Bureaucracy and Legislative Aides, “Laws and Regulations Guiding the use of Public Funds and Legislative Fund Management Law, as well as “Visioning, Strategic Planning and Agenda Setting in the Legislature”.
Some of the members elect who spoke in separate interviews, commended the organization of the pre-induction course and expressed optimism of a vibrant 8th Delta State Assembly.
