Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday said that ongoing heated agitation for 2023 governorship from both Delta Central and South was a healthy one, saying “we are all Deltans, when something is good, we all go for it.”
He also said for those dragging his name into the race, he has neither said anything to anybody nor has he made any consultation, hence all the insinuations about him gunning for 2023 governorship are all figments of the imaginations of some Deltans.
Oborevwori spoke when he addressed journalists at the legislative quarters to mark the end of the 7th legislative year. Though his name featured as one of the Delta Central aspirants among the names sighted online for governorship, Oborevwori denied being in the race.
On the law to back up the declaration by the Southern Nigerian governors in Asaba, especially against open grazing, the Speaker said for over two months the House has been under lock and key following the strike embarked upon by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).
However, he said between now and next week, the PASAN strike would be called off and a law to back the ban on open grazing will either come from either the executive or private members of the House.
He told journalists that the lawmakers are in support of the ban on open grazing but that the PASAN strike must be called off to pave way for the House to sit and get the law through.
He said the PASAN strike is a national strike, noting that if any state fails to participate, such would be sanctioned, hence Delta PASAN cannot be exception.
He noted that financial autonomy has been granted to Delta PASAN as the Assembly staff are enjoying the good gesture of the state governor.
The Speaker told journalists that from June 2020 to June 2021 being one year, the Assembly has passed a total of 14 bills and 34 motions were received by the House. He added that out of the 14, nine were from the executive while five were private member bills.
He also said out of the 14 bills, nine have been passed and eight given assent by the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa. He said the remaining five bills are still undergoing legislative consideration.
He listed some of the bills passed to include establishment of the three universities out of the existing institutions in the state.
The Speaker said the State House of Assembly is mindful of the policies and programmes of the state government, hence requests from the executive are treated speedily after consideration by the House.
Oborevwori explained at the briefing that the Assembly had carried out series of training to equip members and staff of the Assembly to enhance their productivity and efficiency in the discharge of their duties.
He said despite the COVID-19 pandemic which rocked nations with Delta not being exempted, the House had made remarkable progress in its lawmaking mandate and representation.
