BY SUNDAY EGEDE
DELTA State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday, signed the 2025 Appropriation Bill of N979,228,818,719, which was passed by the State House of Assembly into law.
Also signed into law by the Governor, were five other bills that were presented to him along with the 2025 Appropriation Bill for assent by the Speaker of the State legislature, Rt. Hon. Dennis Emomotimi Guwor.
The other bills were the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, (Establishment) (Amendment) Bill, 2024; Delta State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2024; Delta State Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Bill, 2024; Special Offences Court (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and Delta State Protection of Persons With Disability Bill, 2023.
Speaking shortly after assenting to the Bills at his Conference Room, Government House, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori said he was particularly delighted to sign the 2025 Appropriation Bill christianed ‘Budget of Fiscal Consolidation’ into law 20 days after its presentation to the Delta State House of Assembly.
He disclosed that he was very glad with prompt passage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill after going through the necessary legislative procedures, adding that the increase in capital and decrease in recurrent expenditure over the 2024 estimate also gave him joy.
“It is with immense joy that I have assented to this law christened ‘Budget of Fiscal Consolidation’ 20 days after its presentation to the Delta State House of Assembly.
“My joy is also for its prompt passage after going through the necessary legislative procedures. The increase in capital and decrease in recurrent expenditure over the 2024 estimate also give me joy.
“We are now imbibing the culture where our budgetary estimates meet global best practices. A prompt passage and assent of this bill allows us to conveniently implement projects during the 2025 dry seasons.
“The budget has been drafted in such a manner that it will impact positively in the promotion and preservation of public trust and our wellbeing,” the Governor said, pointing out that the development reaffirmed his administration’s commitment in advancing Delta State through the prompt and qualitative service delivery as enshrined in its MORE Agenda.
On the Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Establishment Amendment Law 2024, he said the amendment will enable the accreditation of non-science and technology-related courses into the university.
“Before now, with the name University of Science and Technology, we cannot accredit all courses. But now, assenting to the bill, the name is now Southern Delta University, Ozoro. This will enable the accreditation of more courses and increase the intake of students in the university,” he added.
While saying that the Delta State Structures and Signage And Advertisement Bill 2024, was an amendment to the 2016 version, the Governor stated that law sought to strengthen the effective management and uniform control of the signage and advertisement structures in collaboration with the local government councils.
He noted that the law will improve revenue from signage and and advertisement structures in the state, even as he disclosed that the Delta State Human Trafficking Prohibition Law 2024, seeks to protect victims and prosecute persons and culprits involved in human trafficking.
“Henceforth, properties confirmed to have been used by predators of human trafficking will be forfeited to the state government. And you are aware of the increase of human trafficking. This law will also help to checkmate it.
“Special Cases Court Amendment Law 2024, signed today is an amendment that will not expand offences covered by the 2018 law but most importantly, address gaps in the management of cases.
“Our expectations here is that justice for enlisted cases will now be dispensed speedily; so there will be no delay,” the Governor said, adding that with the Delta State Protection of Persons with Disability Law 2023, his administration will promote inclusivity and integration for persons living with disability in the state.
He applauded the Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly for the synergy among the three Arms of Government in the state, stressing that the passage of the Bills and his subsequent assent to them (Bills) shows that the Delta State House of Assembly is still one of the most vibrant Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.
“Mr. Speaker, we are very happy with the progress achieved with the 2024 budget and I will tell you that with this 2025 budget that I just assented to, it will give us more opportunities to deal with all the infrastructure that we are having in the state.
“And I want to assure Deltans that we will continue to do more for Delta State. As the 2024 winds up, let me express my appreciation for the support I have received from all Arms of Government. It is my sincere expectation that we will sustain this collaboration and synergy in 2025.
“Not only the Arms of Government but I want to also, appreciate Deltans for the love and support they have shown to this administration; for the peace we are enjoying and for the progress that we have achieved.
“And I want to assure Deltans that with this budget that has been assented to today, that they should expect more from us. “For running this state for 18 months without borrowing, it shows that we are very disciplined in our finances. We have been managing our resources very well and we are not going to borrow for now.
“What we have as a reserve can with stand any economic shock. We are very confident as a state. We are paying contractors and even mobilizing them. We want to assure Deltans that we will continue to move Delta State forward,” he added.
Earlier, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor said that it was a cardinal principle of the 8th Assembly to process and passed Bills that promote development/economic growth of the State and the welfare and security of Deltans.
According to him, the 8th Assembly Legislative Agenda is an instrument of the House that drives legislative effectiveness and efficiency in law making, saying that with the aid of the Legislative Agenda, the House has passed in record time, the 2025 Appropriation Bill and five other Bills that were presented to the Governor for his assent.
He said the House took cognisance of some objectives that underlined the 2025 Appropriation Bill during the consideration of the Bill which, he listed to include the completion of ongoing projects and the addition of new projects; expansion of the revenue base; enhancing transparency and accountability in public expenditure management; and initiatives to cushion the economic challenges confronting Deltans.
“We also took special note of proposed allocations to fund activities across different priority sectors that include Agriculture, Health, Water Resources, Education and Roads. We cannot but agree with these laudable and forward thinking by your Excellency.
“Therefore, the 2025 Appropriation Bill was read the Third time and passed on the 26th of November, 2024 with a total budget size of N979,228,818,719 (Nine Hundred and Seventy-Nine Billion, Two Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Nineteen Naira),” the Speaker said.
…Oborevwori Threatens To Sanction Erring Public Officials
Meanwhile, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday, warned that he would not fail to sanction any public official found wanting in the discharge of their duties or whose conduct is established to be at variance with the administration’s vision and mandate.
Governor Oborevwor i handed down the warning at the swearing-in/ inauguration of Chairmen and members of some Commissions and Boards in Asaba.
Those sworn in/inaugurated include; Delta State Sports Commission, Joshua Onoriode Oborevwori as Chairman, while Mr. Okeremute Samuel Sodje; Henrietta Iheakonyen and Oghale Ofremu are members.
The Delta State Public Procurement Commission has AIG David Igbodo (rtd) as Chairman and Mr. Edwin Eruno Abraka as Director-General, with Comrade Venture Daniels and Fyncountry Goodluck Tamaraebi as members.
The Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission has Mr. Sunday Ohwo Ebireri as Chairman and Chief Moses Chukwudi Onowu as member, while Dr Ebenezer Okorodudu as Executive Director (Projects), Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
The Governor said: “today, we continue the process of assembling a winning team for the advancement of our dear state under the MORE agenda.
“The men and women that have just been sworn in are persons of proven track record of performance who will bring their wealth of knowledge, experience, expertise and wisdom to bear on the running of the government.
“It is a call to servant-leadership. A servant-leader focuses on identifying and meeting the needs of others, protecting their rights, and being a good example to them.
“These are the qualities expected of you. When a leader transparently and faithfully serves the needs of others or the organization, he will not only get the best out of people, he will also earn their respect and admiration. The interest and wellbeing of the people is paramount.
“Furthermore, when service is the focus of leadership, it does not matter who gets the credit or whether you are recognized or not. You are happy as long as the common good is served and the people are uplifted.”
He warned, “Let me make it clear that this administration will not fail to sanction any public official who is found wanting in the discharge of his duties or whose conduct is found to be at variance with our vision and mandate.”
The governor said the admonitions equally apply to the Chairmen and members of boards inaugurated, including Delta State Waste Management Board with Mr. Matthew Mofe Edema as Chairman and the Enifome Juliet as member.
Also inaugurated is Chief Joe Arausi as Chairman, Delta State Urban Water Board; the Delta State Traffic Management Authority which has
Chief Peter Idion as Chairman and Hon. Okiemute Essien Benjamin as Director-General, while Ogagaoghene Otikpo; George Okafor and Charles George are members.
The Traditional Medicine Board has Chief Dr. Ogbogodorm Ogumu as Chairman and Dr. Faith Odis; Dr. Ezekiel Alihomuwe; Dr.Nwaka Godwin; Dr.Iwale Christopher; Dr. Mrs Akpogene Eiwebunakiti and Dr. Nelson Idiakpona as members.
Rt. Hon. Christopher Ochor heads Delta State Tourism Board as Chairman, while Chief Mrs Esther Okotie Eboh; Chief Shedrack Imonioro and Dr. Genevieve Uzoma M. Mordi are members.
Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed officials, Rt. Hon. Ochor Christopher Ochor expressed profound gratitude to Governor Oborevwori for the opportunity to serve and pledged their collective commitment to servant leadership and to upholding the governor’s vision for the state.
