In its avowed commitment to excellence and enhanced legislative performance, the management of the Delta State House of Assembly, Tuesday, flagged off a five-day pre-inauguration induction course for the twenty-nine members-elect for the 8th Delta State Assembly.
The programme with the theme “Effective Collaboration and Partnership for Optimal Performance”, is being held in Abuja, the nation’s capital city as part of a management strategy to avoid distractions.
All the twenty-nine members-elect for the 8th Assembly, including 9 returning lawmakers and 20 first-timers, are participating in the pre-inauguration induction programme.
The 9 returning lawmakers are the Majority Leader of the House, Ferguson Onwo, Isoko South Two, Deputy Majority Leader, Oboro Preyor, Bomadi, Majority Whip, Festus Okoh, Ika South and Deputy Majority Whip, Fred Martins, Warri North.
Others include Hon Charles Emetulu, Ndokwa West, Emeka Nwaobi, Aniocha North, Austin Uroye, Warri South One, Emomotimi Guwor, Warri South West and Emmanuel Sinebe, Patani Constituency.
While the 20 first-timers, include Arthur Akpowhowho, Ethiope East, Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, Ika North East, Blessing Achoja, Ethiope West, Prince Emeka Samuta, Ndokwa East, James Augoye, Okpe, Collins Egbetamah, Udu, Mathew Omonade, Ughelli North One, Spencer Ohwofa, Ughelli North Two, Frank Esenwah, Oshimili North, and Bridget Anyafulu, Oshimili South.
Others are Isaac Anwuzia, Aniocha South, Perkins Umukoro, Sapele, Festus Utuama, Ughelli South, Edafe Emakpor, Uvwie, Benson Obire, Warri South Two, Chukwudi Dafe, Ukwuani, Pereotu Oloye, Burutu Two, Bernard Odior, Isoko North, Bino Obowomano, Isoko South One and Anthony Alapala, Burutu one Constituency.
Governor-elect, Delta State and Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori in a goodwill message at the opening session, said expectations are high, hence the need to prepare the elected representatives of the 29 constituencies on the task before them in the next political dispensation in the state.
Oborevwori explained that every necessary step must be taken to ensure that the Delta State Legislature maintain its leading position in the comity of states Legislature in Nigeria.
Clerk of the House, Mrs Lyna Ocholor, said members elect are expected to have sound knowledge of lawmaking procedures, oversight functions as well as rules and standing orders of the House.
Stressing that Delta State Assembly prides itself as the most vibrant House in the country, the Clerk emphasized that there was the need to enhance the enviable track records in the 8th Assembly.
Mrs Ocholor who is the Chairperson, Forum of Clerks of the State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria, maintained that the Delta State Legislature has been very prominent in the affairs of the nation, including the Speaker’s emergence as Governor-elect and Deputy National Chairman of Conference of Speakers of States Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.
She noted with joy the active participation of members elect in the induction course, featuring Lectures and Mock Plenary Sessions, amongst others.
“This programme is aimed at introducing members Elect to the rudimentary steps of opening a new parliament, and to acquaint you with the necessary tools that will make you effective in the art of law-making, oversight function and representation of your constituents, which are the primary functions of a legislator.
“To the returning members, this programme will serve as a refresher course for you. Some of you have passed through this class a couple of times. But there is always a fresh perspective to Learning. This is the beauty of the Legislature”.
Ocholor disclosed that resource persons who are seasoned technocrats in legislative matters, including John Mutu, Dr Shuaibu Danwanka, Dr Aminu, Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe, Dr Ben Ekeyi, and Barr Ibrahim Usman would take participants through selected topical issues during the pre-inauguration induction programme.
She listed the topics to include, “Powers, Privileges, Immunities and Limitations of the Legislature”, “Principles of Separation of Powers and Doctrine of Checks and Balances”, “General Functions of the Legislature and Role of a Lawmaker”, “Introduction to Standing Orders of the Delta State House of Assembly”, “The Committee System and Oversight Process in the Legislature”, “An overview of the Appropriation Process”, “Role of the Bureaucracy and Legislative Aides”, “Laws and Regulations Guiding the use of Public Funds and Legislative Fund Management Law’ as well as “Visioning, Strategic Planning and Agenda Setting in the Legislature”.
“I wish to thank the Rt. Hon. Speaker and Governor-Elect of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and the Principal officers of the house for not only approving this induction programme but also for releasing the required funds to enable the Management of the Assembly put this programme together”, she added.
The Chief Executive Officer of the African Parliamentary Resource Centre, APRC, Mr John Mutu, who is the lead resource person for the programme, while setting the agenda, objectives, methodology and expectations for the induction course, expressed optimism of a vibrant 8th Delta State Assembly.
Mr Mutu charged the members elect to make meaningful contributions during the course of the programme, saying that the induction course would promote efficiency in the Assembly.
Some of the members elect who spoke in separate interviews, commended the management of the 7th Assembly for the Programme and expressed optimism of a vibrant 8th Delta State Assembly.
Those who spoke include member-elect Okpe, Chief James Augoye, Isoko South two, Ferguson Onwo, Warri North, Fred Martins, Burutu two, Pereotu Oloye, Oshimili South, Bridget Anyafulu and Oshimili North, Frank Esenwah.
They acknowledged the need for the induction course as they prepare for their inauguration in June.
The Programme ends on Friday.
