Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly (DSHA), Hon Dennis Guwor, has assured that the House will continue to be a trailblazer in legislative practice and procedures among state legislatures in the country.
He made this statement during his opening remarks at a two-day retreat on the draft 8th Assembly Legislative Agenda of the Assembly in Asaba, the state capital.
The Speaker noted that the House is ahead of many State Houses of Assembly, pointing out, “In the comity of state legislatures, we are among the first few that have a legislative agenda.”
Guwor explained that the Legislative Agenda, which will serve as a policy document guiding the activities of the 8th Assembly, will enhance the legislative-executive relationship for good governance in Delta State.
“It is with so much joy that I warmly welcome all of us to this Retreat. Seeing the turnout of Honourable Members and the enthusiasm on our faces elicits more joy in my heart. I cannot thank you enough for your commitment and the uncommon support you have given and are still lending to the leadership of the 8th Assembly.
“The 7th Assembly set the tone for visioning, strategic planning, and agenda setting for the House. Fortunately, the 8th Assembly has a unique opportunity to consolidate on the gains of the 7th Assembly and leverage it to prepare and adopt a legislative agenda for the 8th Assembly,” he said.
The lead facilitator, Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Parliamentary Resource Center, Mr. John Mutu, commended the leadership of the Assembly for their commitment to promoting democratic principles in the country.
Mutu disclosed that besides the Ekiti State House of Assembly and the Lagos State House of Assembly, which had Legislative Agendas in their last sessions, no other State Assembly in the country had developed such a legislative document to support good governance in their states.
The draft agenda will focus on Economic Development, Industrialization and MSMEs, Environmental Sustainability, Human Capital Development, Infrastructural Development, Public Service Reforms, Agriculture and Food Security. It will also address Enhanced Peace and Security, Inclusive and Participatory Governance, and Strengthening the Parliament.