A bill for a law to repeal the Delta Development and Property Authority law 1960 and reenact the Delta Development and Property Authority Law to Exercise the Functions of Property Development Authorities Planning and of a Housing Corporation and purposes connected therewith, has scaled second readings at the State Assembly.
The one hundred and fifteen clause bill is one of the steps being taken by the state government to address the erroneous assumption of discretionary powers of the DDPA board as provided in the current law, which had remained unchanged since its enactment sixty two years ago.
The Delta Development and Property Authority Bill which is targeted at repealing the existing law made in 1960 and reenact another, was a part of the recommendations by the board of inquiry constituted by the state government in March 2019 to investigate DDPAs unauthorized sale of portion of land acquired by the state government at Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had in a letter forwarding the bill to the state legislature and read by the Speaker, Sherrif Oborevwori, disclosed that the board of inquiry upon submitting its report, had identified erroneous assumption of discretionary powers of the Board as a contributory factor to the unauthorized sale of the land without recourse to the appropriate authority.
Majority Leader, Ferguoson Onwo, said the proposed law was another commendable initiative by the governor geared towards addressing ambiguities capable of affecting good governance and development in the state.
Hon Onwo stated that the legislative move to repeal the existing DDPA law which according to
him, is already obsolete and outdated haven existed since 1960, will bring the legal document to be in tune with minimum international standards.
He emphasized that the proposed law would not only address the ambiguities in the current land development law, but would help the authority perform its duties more effectively towards achieving better housing policy in the state.
Also speaking on the merits of the bill, Deputy Speaker, Ochor Christopher Ochor, Deputy Majority Leader, Oboro Preyor, Chief Whip Pat Ajudia, the member representing Ika North East, Anthony Elekeokwuri, Aniocha North, Emeka Nwaobi, Udu, Peter Uviejitobor, Oshimili South, Shedrack Rapu and Ndokwa West, Charles Emetulu, explained that the intent and structure of the proposed law is to bring DDPA to modern day realities.
They stated that there were so much lacuna in the current DDPA law, stressing that the bill is to cure the anomalies as well as inject new life into property development sub sector in the state.
The lawmakers who were unanimous in favour of the speedy passage of the bill, also pointed out that the proposed law will bring DDPA law up to date for effective discharge of the Board’s responsibilities.
The bill was referred to the joint House committee on Housing and Urban renewal for further legislative processing by the Speaker who also directed the joint committee to submit its report on Wednesday next week.