The beauty of democracy, globally is adherence to the rule of law.
Instructively, under the principle of the rule of law, people are ruled by the law and not by individuals.
Under this system of government and governance, checks and balances via the instrumentalities of separation of powers are critical. This is essential as it ensures that power is spread between those who make the law; the legislature, those who enforce/implement the law; the executive and those who resolve disputes about the law; the judiciary.
Again, separation of power which promotes checks and balances under this system of government, allows the three arms of government; the Executive, the judiciary and the legislature to operate independently.
The separation of powers model, as it were, is not always to create an outright limited government, but to prevent the concentration of power by providing for checks and balances.
The various arms of government, no doubt, uses various methods in enforcing checks and balances. The legislature for instance which is empowered to make laws, establish the government’s budget, confirm executive appointments, ratify treaties, investigate the executive branch, impeaching and removing from office members of the executive and judiciary, as well as redressing constituents’ grievances, is also, empowered to engage in routine legislative oversight.
This, by simple analogy is one of its tools in enforcing checks and balances.
The concept of legislative oversight is based on the notion that, while governance is necessary for democracy to prosper in an orderly fashion, the implementing agencies and the people who staff them must be accountable for their actions.
It is on the strength of this that the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Warri Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency, (WUEDA), recently embarked on an inspection tour on some of the completed and ongoing projects in the State embarked upon by the Agency under its legislative oversight to ascertain level of commitment to quality service delivery in line with the MORE agenda mantra of the state government.
During the visit, the lawmakers commended the Warri, Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency, (WUEDA), for raising the bar in quality delivery and adherence to standards in the execution of projects.
Chairman of the Committee and Deputy majority whip of the House, Hon Prince Emeka Osamuta who gave the commendation during inspection of completed and ongoing projects embarked upon by the Agency in its mandate areas, said the projects inspection was part of oversight duties of the Committee in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered.
Accompanied by other members of the Committee who included; Hon Edafe Emakpor, Deputy Chairman and member representing Uvwie State constituency, Hon Emmanuel Sinebe, (Patani), Hon Benson Obire, (Warri South 2), and Hon Frank Esenwah, (Oshimilli North), the Committee first point of call was the Agency’s Head Office in Effurun, where projects awarded so far were analyzed, scrutinized and deliberated before visits to the sites.
The Lawmakers were briefed by the Director General of the Agency, Prince Godwin Ejinyere, who also led members of the Committee on guided tour of the project sites.
According to Hon. Osamuta, the oversight visit afforded members the opportunity to have firsthand knowledge of the extent the Agency had gone in the implementation of projects as appropriated by the State Assembly.
Stressing that the visit was not to witch Hunt, Hon Osamuta appreciated the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for adequate provision of funds for the speedy execution of the various projects.
The Deputy Majority Whip and Member Representing Ndokwa East, also commended the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, for supporting the executive arm in the implementation of the More Agenda of the state government.
He appreciated the level of work done so far on the drainage system at the Warri Township Stadium and environs, and expressed optimism that it will addressed the ever flooding challenges in the Area.
The Lawmaker advised landlords and property developers to desist from acts capable of blocking the drains, as the consequences were enormous and should be discouraged.
Hon Osamuta posited that the visit has helped members of the committee to evaluate challenges faced by the Agency and its development partners, adding that most of the observed challenges would be addressed in the 2025 State budget.
The Deputy Majority Whip called on the people of Warri, Uvwie and environs to keep their environment clean and to always protect government projects and ensure they are safe from destruction.
Briefing the Lawmakers, the Director General of WUEDA, Prince Godwin Ejinyere, reiterated the agency’s commitment towards quality execution of its projects and thanked Governor Oborevwori for empowering the agency to carry out its responsibilities.
Prince Ejinyere noted that the Agency would always open it door for members of the Committee to carry out their constitutional duties, saying that such partnership and synergies would bring out the best in the Agency and development in the state.
Member representing Uvwie, Hon Edafe Emakpor and his counterpart in Warri South 1, Hon Benson Obire also commended the governor for funding the Agency as well as ongoing massive development in the localities.
Hon Obire specifically thanked Governor Oborevwori for the construction of Ope Street in Warri, saying that for over forty years the road is being attended to for the first time.
A resident who claimed to have lived the area for 63 years, said he was excited when he noticed government presence in the area, adding that the Governor would be remembered for addressing the plight of the people.
Chairman of Warri South, Comrade Weyemi Agateyiniro lauded the Governor, for what he described as the reinvention of the Warri Stadium, adding that it would boost the economic status of the area.
He appreciated the Delta State House of Assembly in its supports to the executive to bring development to the entire state.
Amongst completed and ongoing projects inspected by Hon Osamuta and his team were the Storm Water Project along Airport road Effurun, construction works at Sokoh Estate road, Egbe layout, Ope Street and Diotte Drive amongst others.
