The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo House of Assembly

  • Edo assembly passes bill to prohibit trafficking in persons

    The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill for a Law to prohibit trafficking in persons and also approved the establishment of a State Task Force against the practice.

    The motion for the house to consider the bill was moved by Nosayaba Okunbor, member representing (APC, Orhionmwon East).

    The motion was seconded by the Chief Whip, Osaigbovo Iyoha, member representing (APC, Oredo East) constituency.

    The bill, made up of 80 sections, seeks the establishment of the Edo State task force against trafficking in persons.

    According to the house, the appointment of members shall be by the governor and subject to the ratification of the house of assembly.

    The secretary shall be appointed by the governor, from the ministry of Justice or could be any practising lawyer in the state.

    The bill stated that offenders shall be liable to not less than five years imprisonment or an option of fine of not less than one million naira.

    Mr Nosayaba Okunbor, member representing ( APC Orhionmwon East), however, pointed out that the Nigeria Police, the DSS and the NDLEA should not be included in the taskforce because of the clause mandating members of the task force to appear before the Parliament for screening.

    The house unanimously adopted the bill.

    The clerk of the house, Mr Eghe Otabor, thereafter, announced the third reading of the bill.

    The speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, after the passage of the bill, directed that clean copies of the bill be sent to the governor for his assent. (NAN)

  • Edo Assembly passes 2018 N150.09 bn budget

    Edo Assembly passes 2018 N150.09 bn budget

    The Edo House of Assembly on Thursday passed the state’s N150.09 billion budget for 2018 with an increase of about N3.433billion.

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki had on November 29 presented a budget proposal of N146.6 billion, made up of N66.7 billion recurrent and N79.8 billion capital expenditures to the House for consideration.

    The House increased the proposal by about N3.433 billion.

    Considering the bill clause by clause, the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation and Project Monitoring, Mr Damian Lawani (APC-Etsako Central), said the proposal, christened “Budget of Growth’’, was designed to ensure completion of ongoing projects in the state.

    The house also raised the capital expenditure from N79.8 billion to N82.53 billion, while the recurrent was raised from N66.7 billion to N67.55 billion.

    The House, after considering the amendments, passed the bill into law.

    The speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, directed that clean copies of the document should be sent to the governor for his assent.

    NAN

  • Assembly to partner Edo command on conducive business, living environment

    The Edo House of Assembly is to partner the police command in providing a conducive atmosphere for sustenance, safety of lives in the state.

    The Speaker, Mr Kabiru Adjoto (APC-Akoko-Edo I), made the remark yesterday when he led principal officers on a visit to the Police Commissioner, Mr Haliru Gwandu, in Benin.

    Adjoto said the visit was the first official assignment of the House since the change of leadership on August 14, which brought him in as Speaker.

    According to him, the House is hoping for a cordial relationship with the police.

    Responding, Gwandu appreciated the lawmakers for their decision to partner the police in crime fighting and prevention.

    The police commissioner reiterated the commitment of the command to provide a peaceful environment for the people to work and live without fear.

    He said the lawmakers’ visit was a demonstration of the level of cohesion and cordial relationship between the police and the legislature.

    According to him, the police performance could not have been possible without the support of the government and people.

    “Crime fighting requires community support through intelligence gathering, to enable the people sleep with their eyes closed,’’ he said.

    The House of Assembly has extended its business calender from August 31 to September 15, 2017.

    The House said it was to enable it conclude work on pending bills and resolutions.

     

  • ‘No room for Corruption,’ Obaseki tells new Commissioners

    ‘No room for Corruption,’ Obaseki tells new Commissioners

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Thursday swore-in 18 commissioners, saying that “there is no room for corruption in his administration’’.

    Addressing the commissioners made up of 15 males and 3 females at Government House, Benin, the governor said their appointment was a call to service and not to make money or accumulate wealth.

    He said the commissioners were nominated by their various local government councils and they should live up to the confidence reposed on them.

    “We expect that you live above board; your confirmation by the Edo House of Assembly goes to show that you were found worthy to serve the state.

    “This is the time to build institutions; it is not a time to think about self, but to work for the common good of the people.

    “Bring your experiences to bear and treat staff with respect and follow laid down rules,’’ he said.

    Obaseki urged the commissioners to come up with innovative solutions that would help increase internally generated revenue in the state.

    The governor also tasked them on loyalty, accountability and to key into the ICT initiative of the present administration.

    Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of other commissioners, Mr Osagie Inegbedion‎, appreciated the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve.

    Inegbedion said that their appointment was a call to service, saying “we are committed to serve’’.

    The Commissioners are: Mr Yekini Idaiye (Akoko-Edo), Mr Paul Ohonbamu (Egor)‎, Mr E. Agbale (Esan-Central), Mr Emmanuel Usoh (Esan North-East), Magdalene Ohenhen (Esan South-East) and Amiolemen Osahon (Esan-West).

    Others are: Mr Joseph Ugheoke‎ (Etsako-Central), Mr Mika Amonokha (Etsako-East), Mrs Mariam Abubakar (Etsako-West),‎ Osagie Inegbedion‎ (Igueben), Erimona Oye‎ (Ikpoba-Okha) and Prof. Yinka Omoregbe‎ (Oredo).

    Also sworn-in were: Mr Osaze Osemwegie-Ero (Orhionmwon), Mr Monday Osaigbovo (Ovia North-East), Dr Christopher Adesotu (Ovia South-West), Mr Jimoh Ijegbai‎ (Owan-East), Mr Okun Reginald (Owan-West) and Dr David Osifo‎ (Uhunmwode).

  • Edo Assembly confirms 18 commissioner nominees

    Edo Assembly confirms 18 commissioner nominees

    The Edo  House of Assembly on Wednesday confirmed 18  nominees as commissioners in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Governor Godwin Obaseki had on June 20 forwarded the 18-man list to the house for consideration and confirmation.

    The confirmation of the nominees followed the recommendation of the House Committee on Rules, Business and Government House.

    Presenting the report, the chairman of the committee and Majority Leader, Mr Foly Ogedengbe, said the nominees were educationally qualified to be appointed as commissioners in the state

    Ogedengbe thereafter presented the report to the House for consideration.

    The House consequently adopted the report of the committee and confirmed the nominees as commissioners.

    Meanwhile, the House is to hold a Public Hearing on a bill for a law to enact Edo State Control of Nomadic Cattle Rearing/Grazing Law scheduled  on July 6. (NAN)

  • Edo Assembly reaffirms commitment to promotion of gender equality

    Edo Assembly reaffirms commitment to promotion of gender equality

    The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to continue to promote gender equality through the passage of laws that would protect the rights of women.

    The Speaker of the Assembly, Justin Okonoboh, made the promise during plenary to mark the 2017 international women’s day celebration in Benin.

    Okonoboh noted that the house had passed six bills that affected women and children.

    He listed the bills to include; a law to prohibit Female Circumcision and Genital Mutilation, 1999. And law to make provision for the prohibition of inhuman treatment of widows, 2001.

    Others include; A law to amend the provisions of inhuman treatment of widow (prohibition) law, 2004 and law to provide protection against stigmatisation and discrimination of people living with (HIV/AIDS), 2006.

    He said the House also passed a law to protect the rights of the Child 2007 and a law to establish the Edo State Agency for the Control of Aids, 2009.

    Okonoboh said that the Gender Equality Opportunity Bill,2016 and a Bill for a law to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons were pending.

    According to him, they are before various committees of the House.

    Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, member representing (APC Uhunmwode) Constituency urged Gov. Godwin Obaseki to give top priority to 35 per cent affirmative action in his appointment across the state.

    The affirmative action seeks 35 per cent employment opportunity for women in governance.

     

  • Crisis hits Edo PDP

    Crisis hits Edo PDP

    Internal crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party Monday reared its head at the inauguration of the sixth Edo Assembly.

    There has been pressure on the state leadership of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, to step down after the party failed to secure majority seats at the State Assembly elections.

    The crisis became public knowledge as the party leadership sent three letters to the new Speaker of the State Assembly, Victor Edoror, nominating three different persons for the position of a minority leader.

    Edoror representing Esan Central was nominated for the position of a Speaker by Hon Folly Ogedengbe representing Owan East constituency.

    The nomination of Edoror was supported by Henry Okhuorobo representing Ikpoba-Okha constituency while Hon Crosby Eribo representing Egor constituency nominated Bright Osayande for the position of the Deputy Speaker.

    After the swearing-in of the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker, a letter from the State Secretary of the All Progressive Congress, Chief Osaro Idah, nominating other principal officers of the House was read.

    Those nominated by the APC were Folly Ogedengbe for Majority Leader, Elisabeth Ativie (Uhunmwode) for Deputy Majority Leader, Sunday Aghedo (Ovia South West) for Chief Whip and Kabiru Adjoto (Akoko-Edo 1) for Deputy Chief Whip.

    Speaker Edoror however expressed regret on the inability of the PDP to nominate a single person for the position of Minority Leader.

    The first letter signed by Nicholas Osemwende who claimed to be the party secretary urged the Speaker to reject the nomination of ‘the fake outgoing leadership of the PDP.’

    He said ‘no meeting was held to discuss whom to nominate’ but said Monday Ehighalua representing Esan West should be made Minority Leader.

    Another letter signed by Chief Orbih nominated Igbas M.D representing Esan North East II for Minority Leader.

    A third letter signed by one Jacob Iriogbe nominated Patrick Iluobe representing Esan North East I for Minority Leader.

    The letter reads, “We urged you not to accept the nomination of the state party leadership. They are yet to account for the fund spent during the election.”

    Speaker Edoror set aside the three nominations and said the party would be given time to send the name of one nominee.

    Edoror promised to work in harmony with the Executive and captain the assembly to safety.

    He said the assembly under his leadership would uphold the integrity of the party for the good of the state.

    Security operatives at the Assembly however harassed and detained journalists who were at the Assembly to cover the inauguration.

    Trouble started when journalist were peeved that the security operatives allowed politicians and their boys into the chamber but refused to open the door for journalists.

    After several protest by journalists, some policemen dragged Aliu Ozioruva of the Guardian into their detention room and accused him of breaking government property.

    One police sergeant pushed out the Punch reporter, Alex Okere, for insisting that his colleague be released.

    The pants of the Nation reporter, Osagie Otabor, was torn as policemen dragged him out.

    Aliu was later released after one hour before policemen allowed journalist in.