Delta State House of Assembly is poised to ensure that the State Budget for the 2025 fiscal year is result-oriented, realistic and implementable in line with the developmental goals of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s led administration.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, who gave the assurance in his remarks at the opening session of a four-day retreat for the review of the Delta State Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP, 2025 -2027, said the House is desirous more than ever before to consider and pass an effective and efficient budget that is responsive to State issues, needs and aspirations of Deltans.
The Speaker stated that it is gladdening to note that the Governor has shown great vision and foresight towards ensuring the MORE Agenda is reduced to deliverables, assuring that the State Legislature will never shirk its responsibilities to make it a reality.
He said, “This retreat with the theme: “Review of The Delta State Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) 2025-2027, is one of the strategic intents of the 8th Assembly to partner and collaborate with the Executive arm of Government to accomplish the MORE Agenda of the administration.
“This of course is in furtherance of our Legislative Agenda, launched by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State at the 1st Anniversary of the 8th Assembly.
“As a House, we are desirous to see to the comprehensive implementation of the MORE Agenda, through the instrumentality of people-oriented legislation and the required collaboration and support as partners in progress.
“I personally attach great importance to this Retreat, because, it provides an opportunity for Members of the House to engage the “engineers” that conceptualize the FSP document. It is also a partial fulfilment of our desire to have a pre-budget parlay with the Executive arm of Government”, Guwor stressed.
The Speaker expressed optimism that at the end of the Retreat, members will have a thorough understanding of the FSP document that will facilitate consideration of the Delta State Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) 2025 – 2027 in plenary.
“As we embark upon this timely review of the FSP document, I urge you all to brace up and take advantage of the moment. Let us ensure that the State budgetary provisions, which is the end product of the FSP, aligns with the fiscal targets, on the strategic allocation of resources to sectoral priorities.
“As a House, our unwavering support, collaboration and cooperation with the Executive arm of Government is a defining feature of the 8th Assembly’s Legislative Agenda, which is not optional but a collective responsibility.
“It is my earnest expectation, therefore, that the outcome of this Retreat will further strengthen our collaborative relationship with the Executive arm of Government”, he said.
Guwor commended the Management of the Delta State House of Assembly and its development partner, the Africa Parliamentary Resource Centre, for their resourcefulness in putting together the Retreat.
Welcoming lawmakers to the retreat, the Clerk of the House, Mr Oto Aghoghophia, said effective Legislature contributes to economic prosperity and improved social welfare of a people in a democratic society.
Mr Aghoghophia explained that it was in recognition of that reality and awareness by the Management and Leadership of the House that informed the high-powered Retreat.
He said, “Today is symbolic and significant in that we have some Members of the State Executive Council as part of the Resource Persons that will facilitate some of the technical sessions of the programme.
“This is a conscious effort by the Leadership of the House to synergise positively with the Executive arm of Government to enhance service delivery to Deltans through an effective and efficient Budget process.
“It is hoped that at the end of this Retreat, Honourable Members will gain insight into the fundamentals that resulted in the FSP 2025-2027”.
The opening session had in attendance the twenty-nine members of the State Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Fidelis Tilije, Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekadayen and President of African Parliamentary Resource Centre, Mr John Mutu, who is the lead facilitator of the retreat.
