Delta State House of Assembly on Wednesday gave accelerated legislative attention to five Executive Bills.
The bills were forwarded to the House on Tuesday by the State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
Governor-Elect and Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori presided over the legislative fireworks which saw the five bills sailing through first, second, and third readings during Wednesday’s plenary.
The passed bills include; the High Court Amendment bill, College of Health Science and Technology bill, Delta State Polytechnic, Burutu bill, Delta State Creative Industry Development bill, and a bill for a law to designate May 29 each year as Delta State Thanksgiving Day.
Besides the Delta State Thanksgiving Day Bill, others were forwarded to the State Assembly on Tuesday by the State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for necessary legislative procedures, as read at plenary by the Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori.
Leading debates in each of the bills, the Majority leader, Hon Ferguson Onwo, commended the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for what he described as his forthrightness and proactive disposition in presenting the bills.
Onwo explained that the bill for the amendment of the State High Court Law, 2001 seeks to scale up the number of high court judges in Delta State from 40 to 45.
According to Onwo whose argument was supported by his deputy, Oboro Preyor, the amendment would further speed up the dispensation of justice in the state as well as help in decongesting cases at the courts.
On the bill for a law to repeal the School of Health Technology law 2002 and enact the College of Health Sciences and Technology law, the Majority Leader, Ferguson Onwo, described as enormous the many benefits of the upgrade of the institution to the state, particularly the health sector.
Onwo who represents Isoko South two, supported by two other lawmakers, Anthony Elekeokwuri, Ika NorthEast, and Solomon Ighrakpata, Uvwie, emphasized that the new proposed law was apt, timely, and in line with global practices.
The Bill to repeal the Delta State School of Marine Technology, Burutu, law 2006 and enact the Delta State Polytechnic, Burutu Law, 2023, excited the Majority Leader, Ferguson Onwo, and his deputy, Oboro Preyor, as they X-rayed advantages of the upgrade of the school to a polytechnic.
Speaking extensively on the merits of the bill, the lawmakers were unanimous that following the anticipated upgrade, the institution would among others, have an increased chance of enhanced funding and infrastructural development.
The Delta State Creative Industries Development bill also received so much excitement from the lawmakers as the proposed law seeks to provide for the development and promotion of the creative industries through the establishment of a development fund, encouraging public-private partnerships, and providing incentives for creative entrepreneurs and workers.
Majority leader, Ferguson Onwo, his deputy, Oboro Preyor, the member representing Ughelli South, Reuben Izeze, Warri South West, Emomotimi Guwor and Uvwie, Solomon Ighrapata, acknowledged the leading role of Deltans in the creative and entertainment industries, stressing that the proposed law would provide solid platforms for further growths in the sector in Delta State.
The Lawmakers emphasized that for talent development to thrive in the state, adequate budgetary provisions were key and commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his commitment to leaving behind lasting legacies as his administration winds up on May 29, 2023.
The debate on the merits of the bill for a law to designate May 29 each year as Delta State Thanksgiving Day, Acknowledging the Importance of Gratitude among the People of Delta State, also got unanimous approval from the lawmakers.
Majority Leader, Ferguson Onwo said the state has achieved a lot in terms of development, peace, and unity under God’s watch, despite the tough times and challenges, hence the proposed law to designate May 29 of each year as thanksgiving day in appreciation of benevolence of God to the people.
Separate motions for the third reading of the bills and their subsequent passage were moved by the Majority Leader and adopted when put to voice votes by the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.
The House adjourned plenary till Tuesday 2nd May 2023.
