DELTA ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL FOR A LAW TO AMEND DESOPADEC LAW

.…HOUSE ALSO PASSES ASSEMBLY COMMISSION BILL 2019

TRACKING >>The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Law of 2015 has been amended by the State House of Assembly.

The amendment of the DESOPADEC bill followed the notice of presentation and first reading of the bill by the member representing Warri South West Constituency Hon. Daniel Mayuku at Wednesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.

The motion was seconded by the member representing Ika South Constituency, Hon. Festus Okoh and adopted .

Thereafter the Majority Leader, Hon. Tim Owhefere moved separate motions for the House to suspend order 12 rules 77,78 and 79 to enable the House take the second and third reading and pass the bill .

The motions were seconded by the member representing Ethiope West Constituency , Hon Eriathake Ibori-Suenu and Hon. Peter Onwusanya and adopted.

The Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori thanked members for the timely passage of the bill.

Also at plenary the House passed the Delta State House of Assembly Commission bill of 2019.

The passage of the bill followed a motion moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Oboro Preyor for the House to take the second reading of the bill seconded by Hon. Anthony Elekeokwuri and adopted .

Opening debate on the bill, Hon Oboro Preyor said the bill is beneficial to the state legislature as it was a follow up to the financial autonomy granted to the legislature which has been passed by the House.

He argued that the bill is to repeal the existing law and reenact the Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission law adding that the House had also passed the financial management bill in line with the financial autonomy granted to state legislatures.

Hon Preyor highlighted some merits of the bill to include a provision made for an increase of the departments in the Assembly from nine to fourteen while members of the State House of Assembly Service Commission will now be nominated by the House and forwarded to the Governor for approval unlike in the past when the Governor will nominate members of the Commission .

The Deputy Majority Leader told the House that the bill stipulated that the Clerk of the House will be equivalent to the Head of Service while the Deputy Clerk will be equivalent to a Permanent Secretary among others.

He noted that also contained in the bill is that all capital projects of the House will be approved by a Committee headed by the Clerk but answerable to the Speaker stressing that the bill would strengthen the legislature as an arm of government .

Other lawmakers who spoke in support of the bill include Honourables Reuben Izeze, Anthony Elekeokwuri and Efe Ofobruku .

They said the bill was in consonance with the provision of separation of powers adding that it will give the legislature the power to administer and direct its own affairs .

The motion was unanimously adopted when put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori .

Thereafter, the Majority Leader, Hon Tim Owhefere moved separate motions for the House to suspend order 12 rules 77,78 and 79 to enable the House take the third and pass the bill.

The motions were seconded by the Chief Whip and member representing Oshimili North Constituency, Hon Pat Ajudua and Hon Orezi Esievo and adopted .

The Speaker thanked members for the passage of the bill saying it would strengthen the Commission .