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By Mercy Obojeghren
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Jude Ogbimi, the winner of Saturday's by-election in the Isoko North state constituency of Delta on Sunday.
Returning officer for the election, Christopher Onosemuode, reported the result to Ozoro in the Isoko council area.
Onosemuode, of the Federal Petroleum Resources University of Effurun, said Ogbimi won 29,421 votes to defeat eight other candidates in the by-election.
He said Congress of All Progressives (APC) candidate Emmanuel Tabuko won 2,543 votes to come second, while Agose Ogagaoghene of the Democratic Action Party (ADP) came third with 66 votes .
The (NAN) reports that 11 political parties took part in the by-election, prompted by the death of a former majority leader in the Assembly, Mr. Tim Owhefere.
In his response, Ogbimi expressed his gratitude to God and the people of the constituency for his victory in the ballot, assuring that he would give his constituents the good representation they really deserved.
He congratulated Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his support and commitment to the development of the state. (NOPE)
(NAN)
The Delta House of Assembly has directed the state Auditor-General to ensure that money accruable to the state government be left in its Consolidated Revenue Fund.
The decision of the assembly followed the report presented during plenary on Tuesday in Asaba by the Chairman, House Committee on Public Account, Mr Anthony Elekeokwurie on the report of the Auditor-General of the state on the accounts of the state for 2016, 2017 and 2018 financial years.
Presenting the committee’s report, Elekeokwurie recalled that the Auditor-General had earlier submitted his report on the accounts of the state government for the three years.
He said sequel to the report, which was presented at plenary on Oct. 9, 2019 for consideration and upon the adoption the report was referred to the Public Account Committee for review.
”At our first meeting, the committee collected and studied related approved budget alongside other documents and we observed that the office of the Auditor-General complied with and adopted the current reporting standards as spelt out by the International Financial Accounting Standards and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.
”An in-depth study of the state government fiscal strategy paper and the medium term expenditure framework for the relevant periods threw light on the policy direction of the state government in the years under consideration.
”The report showed that the state government performed credibly well in the periods under review.
“Importantly, the budget performance of the state government witnessed significant growth in 2017 and 2018 financial years in spite of the decline in revenue that was observed in 2016.
”As a committee, we therefore recommend that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) should also constitute their various ministerial audit committees in compliance with Section 14 of the Delta State Audit Law, 2018.
”We also recommended that realistic revenue estimates, projections should be made during preparation of annual budgets. This is achievable through the adoption of a revenue generation management template for MDAs.
”There is also need for audit exit meetings to be held annually between the office of the Auditor-General of the State and MDAs to resolve all observations, queries.
”The heads of boards and parastatals should ensure that annual statutory reports are timely submitted to the office of the Auditor-General and the state House of Assembly for adequate statutory checks and financial control,” he said.
Consequently, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Tim Owhefere moved a motion for the adoption of the recommendations of the committee
The motion, which was unanimously adopted by the assembly when it was put to voice vote by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oboriovwori and seconded by the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Christopher Ochor.
Edited By: Grace Yussuf
(NAN)
The Delta State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the 2021 Appropriation Bill of N384 billion.
The passage followed a report presented by the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Mr Festus Okoh, to the lawmakers during the plenary in Asaba.
Presenting the report, Okoh said that the amount was made up of N173 billion for recurrent and N210 billion capital expenditures.
He said that the figure was higher than the N378.4 billion earlier presented to the assembly by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the budget showed a 1.6 per cent increase from what the state governor presented to the assembly.
Okoh said that the budget showed a clear direction of government to shore up productivity and propel the state economy on the path of growth.
He explained that after the budget was committed to his committee, various reports of the sub-committees and their recommendations were duly scrutinised.
He said ”It will also help to improve processes and systems in public financial management, monitoring and evaluation for better service delivery.
“It will as well increase opportunities for youths, women and unemployed graduates under various jobs and wealth creation programme.”
The Majority Leader of the assembly, Mr Tim Owhefere, later moved a motion for the third reading and passage of the bill.
The motion, which was unanimously adopted when put to a voice vote by the speaker, Chief Sheriff Oboriovwori, was seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr .Innocent Anidi.
The speaker thanked the committee and members for their contributions to the speedy passage of the bill.
Media
Asaba, Nov. 3, 2021 The Delta House of Assembly Committee on Information has urged state-owned media outfits to wake up to their responsibility of effectively disseminating state government programmes and policies to the grassroots.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Tim Owhefere, made the call on Tuesday in Asaba during the annual budget defence meeting by the state Ministry of Information.
He noted that the call became imperative as it would help in carrying the entire state along in relation to government policies and programmes.
Owhefere, who is also the Majority Leader of the house, commended the ministry for what he described as its legendary role in information dissemination and sensitisation of people from Delta state on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He urged the ministry to strengthen its efforts at revamping the state broadcast stations – Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri and Asaba, for optimum results in the next fiscal year.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, assured the committee that the ministry is already putting measures in place to strengthen service delivery and information dissemination across the various communities in the state.
The commissioner, however, said that the ministry would, in the next fiscal year, beef up its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through robust and rich media content.
He commended the house committee for its collaboration and support in the previous years.
Edited By: Moses Solanke/Vincent Obi
Source: NAN
The Delta House of Assembly has felicitated with the newly elected executives of the NUJ Delta Council for their successful elections to run the affairs of the union for the next three years.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Tim Owhefere.
Owhefere, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Information, acknowledged the contributions of the Council in the success stories of the House of Assembly, saying that the House was happy over the peaceful conduct of the election.
He advised the new leadership of the NUJ led by Comrade Michael Ikeogwu to strive to take the union to a higher height.
Owhefere also urged the union to sustain its partnership with the Legislature in the state in its avowed commitment to peace and good governance.
The lawmaker noted that journalists in the state were major stakeholders in the “’Stronger Delta’’ agenda of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa.
Owhefere urged the union members to be constructive in their criticisms of the affairs of the state and pledged the continued support of the House to the NUJ both at the state and at national levels.
Meanwhile, a bill prohibiting non-engineering professionals from undertaking engineering work in the state passed through its first reading at the House of Assembly on Wednesday.
The bill was sponsored by the member representing Aniocha North Constituency in the House, Mr. Emeke Nwaobi. The second reading has been slated for Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Edited By: Alli Hakeem
Source: NAN
The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) bill to curb all forms of violence against residents of the state.
The passage of the bill followed a report presented by Mr Charles Oniyere, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, Business, Legal and Judicial Matters.
Oniyere told the house that the bill, which was committed to the committee on July 8, would tackle the menace of violence in both public and private places when passed and signed into law.
“When passed, the bill will eliminate violence in both private and public life; it will tackle violence against persons living in the state,” he said.
The Majority Leader, Mr Tim Owhefere, moved for the suspension of Orders 77, 78 and 79 of the assembly to enable it to take the third reading and pass the bill.
Mr Solomon Ighrakpata, member representing Uwvie Constituency, supported the motion which was unanimously adopted by the house.
The Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, commended the committee for its commitment in the course of its assignment.
He said the bill was timely and crucial, adding, “issues such as gender violence and female genital mutilation will be tackled by this bill.”
Edited By: Azubuike Okeh/Ejike Obeta (NAN)
The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the State Public Occupational Safety Bill.
The passage of the bill followed a report presented by the Chairman, House Committee on Peace and Security, Mr Asupa Porteta, at the plenary in Asaba.
Presenting the report, Porteta said that the proposed law required owners of places open to the public to procure and install the prescribed Smart Surveillance Cameras.
He said that the cameras would be installed to capture the view from the inside, outside as well as the surrounding premises of the public places.
He listed such public places to include shopping malls, eateries, cinemas, petrol stations and hotels, among others.
Porteta also said that the bill when passed, would help to ensure sanity in such public places.
Subsequently, the Majority Leader, Mr Tim Owhefere, moved a motion for the consideration of the report and its third reading.
The motion was seconded by the member representing Ughelli South Constituency, Mr Rueben Izeze.
When the Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori, put the report to a voice vote, the bill was unanimously passed by the members.
The speaker commended the members for the passage of the bill, adding that it would help to improve security in the state.
Edited By: Bayo Sekoni/Ejike (NAN)
The Delta Occupational Safety Bill has scaled second reading at the State House of Assembly.
Presenting the Bill for the second reading during plenary in Asaba, the Majority Leader of the house, Mr Tim Owhefere, said that the proposed law will require owners of businesses to install proscribed Smart Surveillance Cameras in public places.
He said that the cameras would be installed or mounted to capture the view from both insides and outside and the surrounding premises in the public places like shopping malls, eateries, cinemas, petrol stations and hotels among others.
“The footages taken by the cameras shall be used for the purpose of crime detection and prevention,” he said.
The majority leader explained that the bill when passed would help to bring sanity to such public places.
Supporting the bill, the Chief Whip of the house, Mrs Pat Ajudua, said that apart from making it compulsory for business owners to install cameras in public places, it would also empower individuals, who have the means to install such cameras in their private residence in order to check crimes.
Mr Anthony Elekeokwuri (PDP- Ika North East), while commending the Executive for initiating the bill, noted that presenting credible evidence in law courts had been a major challenge in crime detection and prevention in the country.
“The bill when passed will help to secure the property and lives of our people,” Elekeokwuri said.
On his part, the Deputy Chief Whip of the house, Mr Solomon Ighrakpata, said that the bill when passed would aid police in their investigations.
The bill, which was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, was referred to the House Committee on Peace and Security for scrutiny after passing the second reading.
Edited By: Nick Nicholas/Ali Baba-Inuwa (NAN)
Delta House of Assembly on Wednesday considered a bill for a law to eliminate violence in private and public places and prohibit all forms of violence against persons.
Presenting the bill for second reading during the plenary session in Asaba, the Majority Leader, Mr Tim Owhefere, said that the bill would help to protect the citizens as well as effectively curb the menace and upsurge in cases of rape and spouse battery, among others.
Owhefere decried the upsurge in the cases of rape, spouse battery and other forms of violent crimes, especially against women, children and the vulnerable in the society, adding that the bill came at the right time.
‘ This bill is coming at the right time, especially when cases of rape, and other forms of violence are on the increase on a daily basis.
” This bill, when passed, will help to prohibit all forms of violence against persons as well as provide punishment for the offenders.
” The bill will also help to address the issue of genital mutilation which has been a major challenge facing our women folks.
” The bill will further help to address issue of political violence and provide punishment for all those who engage in violence in the course of political activities,” he said.
Supporting the bill, the Chief Whip of the assembly, Mrs Pat Ajudua, said, ” the global pandemic is not only COVID-19, but rape is another global pandemic ravaging the society today.”
Ajudua said the bill,when passed, would help to send signals to rapists in the state.
She also said that the bill, when passed, would make provision for a register of convicted sexual offenders in the state which would be maintained by the attorney general of the state and made accessible to the public.
The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Christopher Ochor, said the bill, when passed, would offer stiffer penalty for every offence committed.
Mr Solomon Ighrakpata, a member representing Uwvie Constituency, said that the bill would help to prohibit indecent dressing, especially among women.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Oboro Preyor, said that the bill would help to cover all loopholes which offenders used to escape the law.
The bill, which was unanimously supported by the assembly members, was referred to the House Committee on Rules, Business and Judiciary for scrutiny by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.
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Edited By: Chioma Ugboma/Tajudeen Atitebi (NAN)
Delta House of Assembly on Wednesday considered a bill to establish a law that would eliminate violence in private and public life, as well as all forms of violence against persons.
Presenting the bill for its second reading during plenary in Asaba, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Tim Owhefere, said that the bill, when passed, would help to protect citizens, as well as effectively curb the menace.
Owhefere, who decried the upsurge in cases of rape, spouse battery and other forms of violent crimes, especially against women, children and vulnerable in the society, said that the bill came at the right time.
‘“This bill is coming at the right time, especially when the cases of rape, and other forms of violence are on the increase daily.
“This bill when passed, will help to prohibit all forms of violence against persons, as well as provide punishment for offenders.
“The bill will also help to address the issues of female genital mutilation, which has been a major challenge facing our women folk.
“The bill will further help to address issues of political violence and provide punishment for all those who engage in violence in the course of political activities,” he said.
Supporting the bill, the Chief Whip of the assembly, Mrs Pat Ajudua, said COVID-19 was not the only global pandemic now, but rape, which has become a raging cancer eating deep into the fabric of the society.
Ajudua said the bill when passed would help to send danger signals to rapists in the state.
She also said that the bill would make provision for a register of convicted sexual offenders in the state, which would be maintained by the Attorney General of the state and made accessible to the public.
Also, the Deputy Speaker of the assembly, Mr Christopher Ochor, said the bill would offer stiffer penalties for offenders.
On his part, Mr Solomon Ighrakpata, member representing Uwvie Constituency in the state assembly, said that the bill would prohibit indecent dressing, especially among females.
Also, the Deputy Majority Leader of the house, Mr Oboro Preyor, said that the bill when passed would cover every loophole offenders were using as escape route.
Consequently, the bill which was unanimously supported by the assembly, was referred to the House Committee on Rules, Business and Judiciary for scrutiny by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.
Edited By: Chioma Ugboma/Nyisom Fiyigon Dore (NAN)
