From Matthew Ochei, Asaba
The Delta House of Assembly recently rolled out the drums to mark one year of its four-year term. The 27-member legislative house was proclaimed and inaugurated by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on June 8,2015. After one year, political pundits and indeed Deltans have formed their respective opinions about the legislators and their actions. While some agreed that the House under the leadership of Speaker Monday Igbuya has lived up to billings, some are however saying that nothing good could come out of the State House. But has the state house being able to give Deltans a ray of hope by embracing the S.M.A.R.T agenda of Governor Okowa?
The emergence of the of Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya as the 13th speaker of Delta state House Assembly was unanimously accepted by not only the legislators but the entire Deltans on the basis of unprecedented parliamentary experience.
Speaker Igbuya who can be described as a political associate professor judging by his experience in Delta politics; hails from Sapele local government area Delta state.
Igbuya started his political career as a councillor in Okpe local government area in 1987 – 1988, and was also a councillor in Sapele local government area in 1988 – 1999.
Expectedly, due to early signs of political sagacity exhibited, the acute politician was elected twice as the council chairman of Sapele local government area between 1999 – 2007.
An Urhobo born dogged politician who cliinched the People Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in 2007 against all odds, was elected to represent Sapele constituency in the state House of Assembly and consequently re-elected in 2011 for a second term and became the majority leader of the House of 5th Assembly 2011 – 2015.
Chief Igbuya, a party faithful and loyalist who since the inception of his political career remained steadfast in party politics serving his third term in the house.
However, the dogged Igbuya who broke the record in the history of Sapele constituency for third terms, described his House of Assembly constituency election on April 11, 2015, as the toughest in his political career.
According to him, during his Court of Appeal victory thanksgiving service, it was regrettable that some politicians were pre-occupied with the politics of destruction. “Some members of our political family, worked against my interest and the interest of our great party during the April 11, 2015 house of Assembly election but I won the election. I also won at the tribunal and Appeal Court,” Igbuya said.
As it were, Wednesday June 8, 2016, marked Igbuya’s one year in office as the Speaker of Delta state of the most vibrant state of Assembly in Nigeria, without rancour as it were it other states of Assembly in business of the house.
The Speaker, who flanked by other principal officers of the House on that Wednesday at the press centre in state Assembly complex, exalted his colleagues andGovernor Okowa for their cooperation and contributions to the smooth running of the business of the House of the 6th Assembly, and as well as commended the efforts of the press in bringing the spotlight on the activities, deliberations, and resolutions of the House.
Hon.Igbuya explained that the Assembly has been through thick and thin together and haspulled through, all as one big family, noting that their victory is perhaps assured because the general interest of the people has always been their paramount concern.
The primary assignment of the lawmakers is to make law for the betterment of its citizenry.
To this end, it is pertinent to note that the assignment of members of the Sixth Assembly of Delta state is to project the will of the various constituencies and to make laws that engender good governance.
Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya said with a great humility that the Sixth Assembly has recorded modest achievements.
The House under the leadership of Igbuya received a total of 23 bills out of which 10 have been passed into law. However, a total of 33 motions were received and approved; while 16 reports have so far been received and adopted. A number of other issues are still before the House different committees for consideration.
Among the bills received by the House were:
The Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Law (Amendment), 2015, Delta State;
Contributory Health Commission Bill, 2015, Delta State Bureau of Land Instrument Preparation Charges Bill, 2015, Appropriation (Amendment);
Bill, 2015, Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission Bill, 2015, Delta State Community Service Bill, 2015; 6) Delta State Economic Planning Council (Amendment) Bill, 2015, the Delta State Public Procurement Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2015.
Others included the Delta State Agency for Control of HIV and AIDS Bill, 2015, Appropriation Bill, 2016, Delta State Structure for Signage and Advertisement Agency Bill, 2016 and Delta State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy Bill, 2016, as bills received by the assembly.
The House, according to Igbuya, also received the Delta State Security Trust Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Delta State Anti-kidnapping Bill, 2016, Delta State Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism Bill, 2016, Delta State Investment Development Agency Bill, 2016, Delta State Scholarship Board Bill, 2016, Delta State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill, 2016, Delta State Hotels and Restaurants Bill, 2016, Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2016, Delta State Internal Revenue Consolidation (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Delta State Public Procurement Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and Delta State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Speaker Igbuya, in a joyous mood throughout the press conference, said, “The governor has so far assented to the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Law (Amendment), 2015, Appropriation Law, 2016, Delta State Contributory Health Commission Law 2015, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency Law, 2015; and Delta State Technical and Vocational Education Board Law, 2015.
“The Delta State Economic Planning Council (Amendment) Bill, 2015, Delta State Anti-kidnapping Bill, 2016, Delta State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy Bill, 2016; and Delta State Security Trust Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2016 have been forwarded to the state governor, Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, for assent.”
Igbuya explained at length the yearnings of Deltans for quick delivery of the dividends of democracy, as well as the dwindling oil revenue and its negative impact on the economy and capacity of government to meet basic commitments.
Unlike some states that witness series of upheaval leading to removal of their principal officers or shutting down the House, Delta has experience parliamentary peace in the last one year.
It appears that there is a harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislative, having so far approved several requests by the governor without hesitates.
No wonder the Speaker said: “Permit me to use this medium to strongly commend Senator Dr. Authur Ifeanyi Okowa, for his unwavering support for the Assembly. In my inaugural address, I told the good people of the state that the legislature would maintain cordial working relation with the executive, which we have witnessed within our one year in office. Therefore I hereby say no vacancy in the governor’s seat comes 2019, Okowa carry go.”
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