Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, has assured that the House would remain a trailblazer in legislative practice and procedures among State Legislatures across the country.
Rt Hon Guwor stated this in his opening remarks at a two day retreat on the draft 8th Assembly Legislative Agenda of the Delta State House of Assembly in Asaba the state capital.
The Speaker, pointed out that the House is ahead of many of the States Houses of Assembly, noting “in the comity of State Legislatures, we are among the first few that have a Legislative Agenda.
The Speaker said, “It is with so much joy that I warmly welcome all of us to this Retreat. Seeing the turnout of Honourable Members and the enthusiasm on our faces elicit more joy in my heart. I cannot thank you enough for your commitment and uncommon support you have given and still lending to the leadership of the 8th Assembly.
“The 7th Assembly set the tone for visioning, strategic planning, and agenda setting for the House. Fortunately, the 8th Assembly has a unique opportunity to consolidate on the gains of the 7th Assembly and leverage on it to prepare and adopt a Legislative Agenda for the 8th Assembly”.
Continuing, he said, “to usher the House into the business of why we are here, the theme of the Retreat unambiguously says ” Building a Sustainable Future for Deltans through Complementary and Proactive Legislative Interventions. Representatives of the people, we have a duty to ensure sustainable development of the State through legislative measures.
“The House is expected to articulate and develop its Legislative Agenda that align with and support the realisation of the goals contained in the MORE Agenda of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, the Governor of the State”.
Guwor explained that the Legislative Agenda which will be a policy document that will guide the activities of the 8th Assembly will enhance the Legislative, Executive relationship for good governance in Delta State.
“Honourable colleagues, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this Retreat is designed to equip the House to reflect on the developmental aspiration and plans of the current administration. I eagerly look forward to the perspectives and insights that will be shared in this Retreat.
Interestingly, we have competent facilitators with vast experience in legislative matters to guide us through this process. I thank profusely John Mutu and his team for their willingness to always share their experiences with us.
I hope that at the end of this Retreat, the 8th Assembly would come up with a Legislative Agenda that will foster good governance and sustainable development of our dear State via legislative interventions”, Guwor emphasized.
The lead facilitator who is the Chief Executive Officer, Africa Parliamentary Resource Center, Mr John Mutu, commended the leadership of the Delta State Assembly for their commitment to promoting democratic principles in the country.
Mr Mutu, disclosed that besides, Ekiti State House of Assembly and that of Lagos State, which had Legislative Agenda in its last session, no other State Assembly in the country had developed such a legislative document to supporting good governance of their states.
“Delta State House of Assembly is among the first in the country to already have a legislative Plan. While other states are still struggling with pre-induction plans, the Delta State legislature was already structuring a blue print for vision, strategic planning agenda”, Mutu said.
He advised the Delta State legislature to maintain its pride of place in legislative practices and procedures among State Legislatures across the country.
The retreat will feature group presentations on vision, mission, core value and harmonization of the legislative agenda as well as adoption of revised version of the legislative document.
The draft agenda will touch on Economic Development, Industrialization and MSMEs, Environmental Sustainability, Human Capital Development, infrastructural development, public service reforms, Agriculture and Food Security.
Others include Enhance Peace and Security, Inclusive and Participatory Governance as well Strengthening the Parliament.