Delta Assembly Tasks Federal Gov’t On Patience, Lobbying Over LG Autonomy

The Delta State House of Assembly has advised the Federal Government to be patient over the constitutional amendment or embrace lobbying to achieve its plans on local government autonomy.

Speaker of the Delta State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Guwor Dennis stated this on Tuesday during the flag-off celebration of the first year anniversary of the Delta State’s eighth Assembly.

The Speaker emphasised that it would be wrong for the Federal Government to deduct local government funds from the state allocation ahead of the constitutional amendment.

While describing the action of the federal government on the local government autonomy as an aberration and unconstitutional, the Speaker however recalled that the state has always been supportive of autonomy for the local government.

“Delta State is a party to the 36 states sued. We know that the Supreme Court knows what to do. The Speakers have their executive meeting before the state assemblies were communicated.

“Despite that two-third of the 36 state needs to concur to the bill for local government autonomy, Delta Assembly actually joined the 16 states, and unfortunately fell short of the required majority,” the Speaker said.

On the achievements of the Assembly in the last one year, he said the House received a total of 18 bills, comprising 15 executive bills and three private members bills, out of which nine bills have been passed and three assented into law.

“The House has also considered some notable motions and adopted resolutions ensuring the welfare and security of Deltans. The journey so far has been that of steady progress, purposeful and impactful legislative year.

“These bills are intended to positively impact on Deltans in several ways, that is, in the social, economic, justice and environmental sectors. We have not in any way lowered the bar, rather we have raised the bar. This is evident in the drafting and adoption of the 8th Legislative Agenda.

“I must also put it on record that the Eighth Assembly is poised to deliver on its mandate of lawmaking, representation and oversight of government programmes, projects and policies,” he said.

In fulfillment of its constitutional duties, Dennis said the House has screened and confirmed nominees for appointment as members of the State Executive Council and appointments into government agencies, boards and commissions.

“We will collaborate without compromising the independence of the legislature, with the executive arm of government to ensure development gets to every part of the state.

“The House will always support Government policies that will ameliorate the economic pains Nigerians cum Deltans have been subjected to in the last one.

“As we move on to the second session, we are more than ever before prepared and propelled to discharge our duties and responsibilities, and ensure the policy trust of government, which is in consonance with our legislative agenda, is fully implemented for the benefit and good of Deltans,” the Speaker said.

He added that the past one year has seen giant strides of impactful and strategic legislative partnership, engagement, interventions, cooperation and collaboration with the executive and judicial arms of government alongside other critical stakeholders.