A SPEECH BY THE SPEAKER, DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, RT. HON. (CHIEF) SHERIFF F. O. OBOREVWORI (JP) MNIM, AT THE PRESS BRIEFING TO MARK THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE 6TH ASSEMBLY OF THE DELTA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ON THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017.

Gentlemen of the Press,
On behalf of my distinguished colleagues, I gladly welcome you to this
press briefing on the activities of the House in the past one year as we
mark the second anniversary of the Sixth (6th) assembly.

Let me start by appreciating your role as members of the fourth estate
of the realm in promoting the activities and deliberations of the House.
The role of the press in a democratic dispensation cannot be over
emphasized; that is why the Legislative arm of Government holds the
media in a very high esteem. I want to express our gratitude to the
media for their coverage of the activities of the House. We, however,
enjoin our vibrant journalists in Delta State to shun speculative stories
that would erode their credibility. Let me implore our gentlemen of the
Press to always cross-check their facts from our offices which are
indeed open to them before going to Press.

I want to state here that as an arm of Government, the House has
undergone some challenges. But by God’s grace, we have scaled the
hurdles. Despite the May 11, 2017 unavoidable change in the
Leadership of the House, Deltans should be rest assured that Members
are united more than ever to take on the task ahead.
As members of the Sixth Assembly, we will continue to keep faith with
our duties of law making aimed at promoting order and good
governance in Delta State.

It is in pursuant of our role as lawmakers and representatives of our
people, I wish to place on record that the Sixth Assembly has
performed credibly well by all standards. I now present our score card
during the period under review:
1. The House received a total of thirty four (34) bills, of which, ten
(10) were Executive and twenty four (24) were Private Member
Bills.
2. A total of Twelve (12) Bills have been assented to
3. Six (6) Bills are awaiting assent; and
4. Seventeen (17) Bills are at committee stage.

Bills Assented to include
1. Delta State Economic Planning Council (Amendment ) Law, 2015;
2. Delta State Advisory council on the Prerogative of Mercy Law,
2016;
3. Delta State Security Trust Fund (Amendment ) Law; 2016
4. Delta State Anti-Kidnapping and Hostage Taking Law, 2016;
5. Delta State Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism Law, 2016;
6. Delta State Scholarship Board Law, 2016;
7. Delta State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law,
2015;
8. Delta State Public Procurement Commission Agency Law, 2015;
9. Delta State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs (Amendment) Law, 2016;
10. Delta State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery Law, 2016;
11. Delta State Appropriation Law, 2017
12. Delta State Structure for Signage and Advertisement Agency
(Amendment )Law 2017

The Following Bills Are Awaiting Assent:

1. Delta State Bureau for Lands Instrument Preparation Charges Bill,
2015
2. Delta State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS Bill, 2016
3. Delta State Investment Development Agency Bill, 2016
4. Delta State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority
(Amendment) Bill, 2017
5. Delta State College of Education Mosogar Bill, 2016
6. Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2016

Bills At Committee Stages are:
1. Delta State Collection of Metal/Steel Scraps fees Bill, 2015
2. Delta State Consumer Rights Protection Agency Bill, 2016
3. Delta State Illegal and Unauthorised Collection of Levy and
Extortion (Prohibition) Bill, 2016
4. Delta State Centre for Rural and Social Development Studies
Otorho, Abraka, Bill, 2017
5. Discrimination Against Persons with Disability Bill, 2016
6. Delta State Regulatory Committee for the Registration of all
Equipment Leases Bill, 2017
7. Delta State Bureau for Statistics Bill, 2017
8. Delta State Hotels and Restaurants Bill, 2016
9. Delta State Internal Revenue Consolidated (Amendment) Bill,
2016
10. Delta State Special Offences Court Bill, 2016
11. Delta State Forestry Development (Private Participation) and
Forestry Trust Fund Bill, 2016
12. Delta State Nomadic Cattle Rearing Control Bill, 2016
13. Delta State Water Bill, 2016
14. Delta State Private Education Institution Bill, 2016
15. Delta State Environmental Management Bill, 2016
16. Delta State Regulation of Smoking in Public Places Bill, 2016
17. Delta State Consumption Tax Bill, 2017

Other Bills are at various stages, either in first or second reading.
Two (2) bills were withdrawn by leave of the House while one (1)
failed at first reading.
Gentlemen of the Press, the House of Assembly is aware that Deltans
are looking forward to the delivery of more dividends of democracy,
and it is in our place to make that happen. Despite the harsh
economic situation which has affected service delivery, the House
remains committed to providing effective representation to our
constituencies. We cannot afford to fail our people. We will
continue to do that which is expected of us as lawmakers.

I want to commend His Excellency, Senator, Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi
Okowa, the Governor of Delta State for his support to the Sixth
Assembly. His favourable disposition towards the progress of this
House is essentially inspired by the co-operative spirit existing
between various arms of government in Delta State. On our part, we
will continue to reciprocate the benevolent attitude of the Executive
arm by giving prompt attention to passage of bills. In a speech I
delivered after my emergence as Speaker, I promised that the
Legislature would continue to maintain a cordial working
relationship with the Executive arm of Government. I restate that
promise here today.

We are determined more than ever to improve on our performance
as we enter into the third legislative year.

In the next parliamentary years, the House will ensure that it retains
its focus. It will engage in deliberations and matters that would
improve the fortune of Deltans.

Finally, let me thank my distinguished colleagues for their
unflinching support and perseverance in the way they have
conducted themselves as we march towards the attainment of our
laid down goals. In the same vein, I want to extend gratitude to the
Clerk and Staff of the Assembly for their wonderful cooperation. We
will remain resolute in our collective goal of providing effective
representation. We will continue to engage and consult with our
people to allow them participate fully in the legislative process.

Distinguished gentlemen of the Press, permit me to once again thank
you for the support given to the House during the year under review.
This unique support by the Press has been steady and unconditional,
and we encourage you to always assist the House to play its
constitutional role.

God Bless Delta State House of Assembly
God Bless Delta State
God Bless Nigeria

Thank you.
RT. HON. (CHIEF) SHERIFF F. O. OBOREVWORI (JP) MNIM
SPEAKER,
DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY�