Ijaw leader, Chief Mulade Sheriff has disagreed with the Delta State House of Assembly on the time frame for the public hearing on the proposed upgrade and establishment of three new universities in the state.
The House had on Wednesday fixed Friday, February 19, 2021, for the public hearing on three bills forwarded to it by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, for the establishment of three new universities in the state.
The Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon Charles Emetulu in a statement, named the Bills to include the Delta State University of Education, Agbor establishment Bill, Delta State University of Science and Agriculture, Anwai, establishment Bill and Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, establishment Bill.
The committee which slated the public hearing for 10am at the Press Center, Delta State House of Assembly Complex, Asaba, said it is in pursuant of its mandate to get inputs from critical stakeholders and other interested members of the public in the making of the proposed law.
Reacting to the timeframe for the public hearing, Mulade early Thursday in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri, described it as a hurried move by the House to hold a public hearing on the bills.
The Delta born human and environmental rights activist said the move by the House was clear evidence that there was a calculated move to shut stakeholders out of possible inputs noting that in a democracy there is the need for transparency on projects and developments since power belongs to the people.
He said the timeframe was unacceptable for genuine inputs from Deltans and critical stakeholders accusing the House of desperation, clandestine action and betrayal of trust reposed on it and the state government by Deltans.
Mulade further advised the Delta State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to desist from acting as a rubber-stamp institution as Deltans expect them to display integrity and prove to be an independent arm of government.
He said, “The sudden and less than 24 hours notice is questionable, obnoxious and strong disregard for Deltans as the Chairman, House Committee on Education, one of our finest and most respected. Hon Charles Emetulu has decided to toe the paths of shallow integrity for such hearings to be fixed on Friday 19th February 2021 in less than 24 hours from the sitting of Wednesday 17th February 2021”.
According to him, It is regrettable that adequate time was not given for inputs from critical stakeholders and interested parties, noting that Delta people are wondering why the rush on such sensitive bills for development in the State, especially when some sections of the state are questioning the rationale behind elevating only three institutions to the status of universities, while other sections are shut out from benefiting from such welcome development projects that could turn narratives around by putting communities ahead of others.
Mulade stated that the House of Assembly should as a matter of fact open their doors to welcome robust contributions from the public on projects that are sensitive and likely to divide the state into ethnic lines.
In his view, the State Assembly should not be seen promoting apathy, disenchantments and lack of trust for the government.
“Three universities on public hearing inside Delta State Assembly with a short time frame could lead to the government being unpopular in some sections of the state.
“As unimportant as the Assembly may make the dissatisfaction as expressed to be, public hearing at a short time frame will be a disservice to the good people of Delta State stressing that the rush to please a few power blocs may be counter-productive at the very long run,” said Mulade.
He noted that if it is allowed to go on, it connotes a wrong impression and indication that the Delta State House of Assembly has submitted and decided to relinquish her constitutional independent rights to the State Executive.
