A Bill for a Law to Amend the Child Rights Law 2008 to Further Strengthen the Legal Framework for Child Rights Protection in Delta State and Other Related Matters has passed second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
The lead sponsor of the Bill and member representing Ika North East Constituency, Hon Marylyn Okowa-Daramola, at Tuesday’s plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, said the amendment is to enhance existing provisions in the principal law as well as introduce new provisions to ensure more effective implementation and compliance.
Leading debates on the merits of the amendment bill, Hon Okowa-Daramola said change is a fundamental instrument for growth, noting that it had become imperative for the Principal law which was enacted 16 years ago to be amended to meet with the growing trends of today.
The eloquent lawmaker highlighted provisions in the principal law which she said were no longer tenable in the present day realities that had made the implementation of the law difficult.
She disclosed that the amendment covers twelve sections in the 68 sections and 268 pages of the Principal law, stressing that the proposed amendments are all necessary for growth and development in society.
The Ika North East representative and Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, drew the attention of her colleagues to sections in the Principal Law where amendments are being proposed for consideration and sought their support for an accelerated legislative process.
Okowa-Daramola explained that section 2 of the proposed amendments recommends that the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development shall take full responsibility for the implementation of the Child Rights Law rather than the Ministry of Education as contained in the principal law.
Emphasizing that the amendment bill when passed and accented to by the Governor would change the narratives, the lawmaker stated that implementation would be much easier as provisions in the new law are in tandem with current realities in the ever-changing human race and environment.
In her conclusion, the highly cerebral Legislator emphasized that the proposed new law will amongst others, strengthen capacity in the implementation of the Child Rights law and unlock the potential of the children who are the future leaders of tomorrow.
Hon Okowa-Daramola’s presentation received unanimous support as 27 other lawmakers were listed as co-sponsore of the amendment bill.
In their contributions, those who spoke stated that the amendment had become necessary following several factors hindering the implementation of provisions in the Principal law.
The lawmakers, including the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowowo, Deputy Majority Leader, Festus Okoh, Chief Whip, Perkins Umukoro, Deputy Majority Whip, Emeka Osamuta, Oboro Preyor, Bomadi, Augustine Uroye, Warri South 1, Bridget Anyafulu, Oshimili South and Ferguson Onwo, Isoko South 2, amongst others, commended the led sponsor for initiating the amendment bill.
Describing the proposed amendment as apt and timely, the lawmakers said the new provisions were designed to meet the current realities in the implementation of the Child Rights Law.
Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor who commended members for the robust debate, referred the bill to the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs and Humanitarian Support Services for further legislative scrutiny and to submit its report on the 3rd of October, 2024.
Meanwhile, the house also at plenary screened and confirmed two nominees for appointment as Secretaries to Local Government Councils.
They include Mr Aluge-Obia Kainji, Ika South and Mr John Ewenede, Ughelli South local government area.
The Speaker after ruling on the motion for their confirmation, congratulated the duo for their appointments and encouraged them to serve their respective councils meritoriously.
