Delta State House of Assembly has passed five Executive bills into law during Wednesday, April 26, 2023 plenary in the House in Asaba.
The bills included the bill for a law to amend The High Court (Amendment) Law, 2001 and for matters connected therewith; the bill for a law to provide for the repeal of The School of Health Technology Law, 2002 and enact The College of Health Sciences and Technology Law, 2022.
Others included the bill for a law to repeal The Delta State School of Marine Technology, Burutu Law, 2023 and other related purposes; the bill for a law to provide for the Development and Promotion of The Creative Industry in Delta State by establishing the Creative Industry Development Fund, encouraging Public-Private Partnerships, and providing incentives for creative entrepreneurs and workers, and the bill for a law to designate May 29 each year as Delta State Thanksgiving Day.
The bills scaled through the due process of lawmaking before passage and the Majority Leader in the House, Hon. Ferguson Onwo, moved the motions for their passage, while Hon. ( Evang) Princess Pat. Ajudua Esq (Ph.D), Chief Whip of the House and Member representing Oshimili North Constituency, seconded the motion for the High Court (Amendment) Law, 2023 and The Delta State Thanksgiving Day Law, 2023; Hon. (Chief) Felix Anirah, Member representing Sapele Constituency, seconded for The College of Health Sciences and Technology Law, 2022; Hon. Guwor Emomotimi Dennis, Member representing Warri South West Constituency, seconded for The Delta State Polytechnic, Burutu Law, 2023, and Hon. Festus Okoh, Majority Whip and Member representing Ika South Constituency, seconded for The Delta State Creative Industry Development Law, 2023.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who presided over the plenary, thanked the lawmakers for the successful passage of the five bills.
He also outlined the importance of the five bills passed into law.
“Distinguished colleagues, the passage of this bill is a right step in the right direction for our dear state. The bill has been passed in recognition of the increasing demand for citizens of the state to have access to Justice in record times.
“Therefore, the bill is aimed at increasing the number of judges of the High Court of Delta State from 40 to 45 in order to eliminate delays often experienced in the administration of Justice in the state.”
For the College of Health Sciences and Technology, he said “dear colleagues, I salute all of you on the successful passage of the College of Health Sciences and Technology Bill.
” I will like to state that the services delivered by middle-level healthcare providers are essential for effective service delivery in the state’s health sector.
“Therefore, this bill seeks to upgrade the School of Health Technology to the College of Health Sciences and Technology in order to reposition the institution to meet global standards in providing the requisite training for middle-level healthcare delivery services in the state and beyond.
“Also, by virtue of this bill the institution will be at par with its counterparts nationwide and attract more candidates seeking training and certification in the middle-level healthcare delivery services from all over the country.”
On the Delta State Polytechnic, Burutu, he said “distinguished colleagues, I wish to express my gratitude to you on the successful passage of this very important bill.
“This bill seeks to upgrade the Delta State School of Marine Technology, Burutu into a polytechnic.
“This has become necessary in order to reposition the institution to enable it access the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and other grants, like the Education Trust Fund (ETF), needed for its infrastructural development.”
On Delta State Creative Industry Development Law, he said “distinguished colleagues, I cannot thank you enough for the passage of this bill. By virtue of this bill, we have once again demonstrated to Deltans that the state government cares and is ever ready to meet developmental needs of the state.
“This bill seeks to provide for the development and promotion of the creative industries in Delta State by establishing the Creative Industry Development Fund, encouraging Public-Private Partnerships, and providing incentives for creative workers.
” This bill will contribute significantly to the development and growth of the creative industries in our dear state, which will in turn foster economic growth and enhance our cultural heritage.”
Speaking on the Delta State Thanksgiving Day Law, Rt. Hon. Oborevwori said “dear colleagues, I wish to express my gratitude to all of you on the successful passage of the Delta State Thanksgiving Day Bill, 2023.
”Indeed we will all agree that there is a great need to dedicate a day for the expression of gratitude for the blessings, achievements and resilience of the people of Delta State.
”It is my humble prayer that Almighty God in his infinite goodness and mercies will continue to bless Deltans and Delta State in general.”
The Speaker thanked the lawmakers for recognising the importance of the bills passed into Law and for their strong support and contributions throughout the consideration of the bills.