A fresh insight into the position of the Delta State
House of Assembly to the development of the state was on Tuesday given by the
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya.
The Speaker at the first sitting of the House for
2016 said the House would ensure accountability, probity, transparency and
efficiency in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the 2016 budget.
“I wish to quickly reiterate that the Delta State House
of Assembly has been adequately positioned to meet the demands of making well
focused research and people oriented laws that will impact positively on the
people of the State. This is contingent
on our firm belief that as the pillar of democracy, the legislative arm must be
a catalyst of change, working in concert with the other arms of government in
providing democratic dividends to the people” he said.
He asked his colleagues to brace up for the
ever-evolving and unfinished business of state development as the months ahead
will no doubt be challenging.
“We have shown uncommon resilience, maturity and
understanding. Our display of
competence, patriotism and commitment to duty which we demonstrated while
carrying out our legislative duties and other assignments, has in no small
means translated to the success the House has enjoyed. We should not compromise or betray the
mandate the people gave us for pecuniary gains.
We must work hard to secure a better life and greater opportunities for
them through viable and pragmatic laws and other legislative instruments that
would ensure viable socio-economic and infrastructural transformation in all
the 29 constituencies in the state. We must also renew our priorities, listen
to one another more attentively and remind ourselves of the ways by which our
aspirations and destiny are intertwined as a people”
He expressed worries over the nation’s economy.
“Presently the price of crude oil at the
international market is put at around $38. In the face of declining crude oil
price, it is clear that our over-reliance on a mono-product is unhealthy and
unsustainable. This reality makes it
even more pertinent that the Federal and State governments work assiduously to
develop other sources of revenue outside the oil and gas sector. The continued diversification of our economy
into other sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, trade and services is
now inevitable. In this era of paucity of funds occasioned by the drastic fall in crude oil prices, the
responsibility of curtailing wasteful
and unnecessary spending falls
solely on us.
Igbuya also listed the Passage of Delta State
Territory Development Agency Law, 2015,
Delta State Technical and Vocational Education Board Law 2015, Delta State Contributory Health Commission
Law, 2015 and the Amendment of the Delta State Oil Producing Development Law,
2015 as major achievements of the House.
“Distinguished colleagues, as we look forward to
another year of robust and fulfilling legislation, we cannot but pat ourselves
on the back for what we have achieved thus far. In the last seven months, this
great House made appreciable progress in some very vital areas in the life of
this administration. In 2016, we intend to push ourselves further and
accomplish even much more to the benefit of Deltans”
He expressed dismay over the attitude of some people in
the state.
“Let me also
use this medium to educate our numerous constituents that it is time we do away
with the entitlement mentality whereby we over burden our legislators with mundane requests borne out
of the fact that you have supported and
helped them to win elections. While I agree that the legislators have
the moral responsibility to assist their constituents within their means,
constituents should not overstretch their request to the extent that
legislators would be afraid or discouraged to run their constituency offices
with utmost efficiency or even run away from their constituency”.
Igbuya praised
the judiciary for the victory of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and others at the Court
of Appeal.
“It is equally
proper at this juncture to thank God for victories at the Court of Appeal. Let
me congratulate everyone who experienced this sweet victory. Let me also
commiserate with those who were not successful at the Court of Appeal. I also
welcome members who will be joining us in this assembly as a result of their
victory at the Court of Appeal. In the same vein, I want to congratulate His
Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his resounding victory at the Court of Appeal.
Infact, it was the best Christmas gift to Delta state”.
For the interest of the growth and development of the
state, Igbuya urged Chief Great Ogboru and Chief O’tega Emerhor to work with
the present administration.
“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is an advocate of an
all-inclusive government. Instead of continuous litigations that distract and
impede growth, it is for the interest of the people of our dear state for them
to work with the government to move delta state forward”.
Being
text of remarks by the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.
Monday Igbuya
My Dear Honourable Colleagues, it is indeed a
privilege to welcome all members to the first sitting of the Delta State House
of Assembly for 2016. Let me use this
opportunity to formally wish you a Happy New year and also commend your efforts
in the last seven months. We have shown uncommon resilience, maturity and
understanding. Our display of
competence, patriotism and commitment to duty which we demonstrated while
carrying out our legislative duties and other assignments, has in no small
means translated to the success the House has enjoyed.
Let me remind this House that legislation as we may
have found out is a serious business for serious minded people. I therefore urge members to brace up for the
ever-evolving and unfinished business of State development as the months ahead
will no doubt be challenging.
My standpoint is hinged on the obvious fact that
Nigeria and indeed Delta state still depends solely on oil as its main stay.
Presently the price of crude oil at the international market is put at around
$38.
In the face of declining crude oil price, it is clear
that our over-reliance on a mono-product is unhealthy and unsustainable. This reality makes it even more pertinent
that the Federal and State governments work assiduously to develop other
sources of revenue outside the oil and gas sector. The continued diversification of our economy
into other sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, trade and services is
now inevitable. In this era of paucity of funds occasioned by the drastic fall in crude oil prices, the
responsibility of curtailing wasteful
and unnecessary spending falls
solely on us.
Emphasis should therefore be directed at strict
fiscal guidelines and ensuring oversight instruments to insist on
accountability, probity, transparency and efficiency in the implementation,
monitoring and evaluation of the 2016 budget.
I wish to quickly reiterate that the Delta State
House of Assembly has been adequately positioned to meet the demands of making
well focused research and people oriented laws that will impact positively on
the people of the State. This is
contingent on our firm belief that as the pillar of democracy, the legislative
arm must be a catalyst of change, working in concert with the other arms of
government in providing democratic dividends to the people.
With your continued support and encouragement, we can
maintain and keep this firm belief and responsibility placed on us by our
individual constituencies.
Distinguished colleagues, as we look forward to
another year of robust and fulfilling legislation, we cannot but pat ourselves
on the back for what we have achieved thus far. In the last seven months, this
great House made appreciable progress in some very vital areas in the life of
this administration
* The Passage
of Delta State Territory Development Agency Law, 2015
* Delta
State Technical and Vocational Education Board Law 2015
* Delta State
Contributory Health Commission Law, 2015
* The
Amendment of the Delta State Oil Producing Development Law, 2015.
These were some of the landmark progress recorded by
our efforts.
In 2016, we intend to push ourselves further and
accomplish even much more to the benefit of Deltans.
Let me emphasize that the mandate given to you is
sacred which primarily is to represent the interest of the good people of Delta
State and which must not be compromised or betrayed for pecuniary gains. Therefore, we must consciously and diligently
work hard to secure a better life and greater opportunities for them through
viable and pragmatic laws and other legislative instruments that would ensure
viable socio-economic and infrastructural transformations in all the 29
constituencies in the State.
Let us at this point renew our priorities, listen to
one another more attentively and remind ourselves of the ways by which our
aspiration and destiny are intertwined as a people. The Task before us is
enormous but not insurmountable. My distinguished colleagues, we are equal to
it and we will rise to any challenge that lies in our path.
Let me use this opportunity to appreciate our
constituents for their continued goodwill and confidence. Let me also use this medium to educate our numerous
constituents that it is time we do away with the entitlement mentality whereby
we over burden our legislators with
mundane requests borne out of the fact that you have supported and helped them to win elections. While I agree
that the legislators have the moral responsibility to assist their constituents
within their means, constituents should not overstretch their request to the
extent that legislators would be afraid or discourage to run their constituency
offices with utmost efficiency or even run away from their constituency.
It is equally proper at this juncture to thank God
for victories at the Court of Appeal. Let me congratulate everyone who
experienced this sweet victory. Let me also commiserate with those who were not
successful at the Court of Appeal. I also welcome members who will be joining
us in this assembly as a result of their victory at the Court of Appeal.
In the same vein, I want to congratulate His
Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his resounding victory at the Court of
Appeal. Infact, it was the best Christmas gift to Delta state.
For the interest of the growth and development of the
state, it will be ideal for our brothers, Chief Great Ogboru and Chief O’tega
Emerhor to work with the present administration. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is an
advocate of an all-inclusive government. Instead of continuous litigations that
distract and impede growth, it is for the interest of the people of our dear
state for them to work with the government to move delta state forward.
Fellow colleagues,
I welcome you to 2016. We can achieve economic expansion, peace
co-existence and good governance in 2016.
I will continue to encourage greater interactions
with all members, as well as maintain oneness in this house regardless of
ethnicity or party affiliation.
My distinguish colleagues; I thank you all for the
stability that the Assembly has
experienced so far. Let us work together as a team for the progress of our dear
State.
I must say, it’s really good working with you in this
Honourable House.
Thank you and God bless.
Rt. Hon.
Monday Igbuya
Speaker, DTHA
12-1-2016
EBIRERI HENRY OVIE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE SPEAKER
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