Tuesday, the Delta State Merit Award Scheme Bill, at the floor of the State House of Assembly, scaled through all the legislative processes in enacting a new law.
The private member bill which has the Majority Leader and member representing Aniocha North, Hon Emeka Nwaobi as the lead sponsor, was read the third time and passed during resumed plenary of the House, presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor.
The proposed law which was deliberated at the committee of the Whole, was meant to repeal the Delta State Law of 2008 and enact a law that would establish the Delta State Merit Award Scheme, which among other things, specified the privileges of the recipients.
At the Committee of the Whole, chaired by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, the lawmakers scrutinized the thirty-session bill clause by clause and effected some amendments in the draft Bill.
The proposed legal document recommended the establishment of the Delta State Merit Award Governing Council, which would have the power to constitute an ad-hoc advisory committee to help select candidates.
The Council would also ensure that a person or persons nominated should be persons of integrity.
Such nominees should have rendered meritorious services of a public nature be it in the public service of the State or have achieved distinction in a chosen occupation, profession, calling or in any field of human endeavour, or other criteria as may be approved by the Council, amongst other recommendations.
The bill scaled through a third reading, following a motion by the Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi, seconded by the member representing Ndokwa West, Hon Charles Emetulu and adopted.
While commending members for their active participation and thorough scrutiny of the Bill, the Speaker said the Bill when assented to by the Governor would in no small way reward persons or organizations who have served the state meritoriously.
Rt Hon Guwor also stated that the award for meritorious service would encourage those still serving to put in their best.
The lead sponsor of the Bill and Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi said the objective of the law is to reward deserving personalities and corporate bodies who have made outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Delta State.
The Majority Leader who doubles as the Chairman, Assembly Committee on Information congratulated the 8th Assembly for its strives to enact laws that would promote excellence in the state.
