TheNewsGuru

Tag: Delta Assembly

  • Delta Assembly approves Gov. Okowa’s request of N25bn credit facility

    Delta Assembly approves Gov. Okowa’s request of N25bn credit facility

    The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday approved a request by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa to take a N25 billion bank facility for oil palm production,.

    The governor’s request is contained in a letter read at a plenary session by the Speaker, Chief Sherriff Oborevwori.

    Okowa said that the credit facility to be taken at the First City Monument Bank Plc. would go for the development of 17,345.5 hectares of palm plantation.

    It is designed to take advantage of CBN’s oil palm development initiative.

    Motion for the approval of the governor’s request was moved by the Majority leader of the House, Chief Ferguson Onwo, and seconded by the Minority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Innocent Anidi.

    Delta Govt. yet to access N150bn bridging finance – Okowa

    Meanwhile, Governor Okowa has on Tuesday said the state government was yet to access its N150 billion bridging finance.

    The governor disclosed this while speaking to newsmen shortly after inspecting ongoing works at the Koka flyover bridge and interchange in Asaba.

    He said that the funds had not reached the state government because the Federal Government has not commenced remittances to the state, contrary to the agreement.

    Okowa said that the Koka flyover bridge is among the projects that the bridging finance was meant to cover.

    He said, “when the money is available, we will be able to use it to upscale these projects.

    “The bridging finance is actually a finance that we already have a source of repayment.
    “Rather than allow the depreciation of the Naira or the extension of time at work create a cost escalation for us, our intention is to take a bridging finance and then pay back from the monies that the Federal Government owes us.

    “But as at today, we have not even accessed the bridging finance because the repayment plan from the Federal Government, which is supposed to have started by January has not commenced; they have not made any remittances to the state.

    “Some states have taken a part of their own bridging finance because we are not the only state involved. But for us, we intend to wait until the refund process starts before accessing the bridging finance.

    “So, we have not yet accessed that bridging finance at the moment but we have got the approval of the House of Assembly.

    “I hear that some of our brothers who don’t even understand governance, have tried to critique the situation but unfortunately, when some people don’t understand what is in government and how you can save funds for the people, they could talk politics and criticise.

    “But I am very confident that whatever we are about to do, we are doing it in the best interest of the state; we are trying to save money for the state, we are trying to save situations where you have cost overrun and cost escalations.

    “We do hope that as soon as the first set of refunds come from  the Federal Government, we would be able to access the bridging finance to be able to scale up the speed of the major projects that we have as listed before the House of Assembly and utilise the money for some other sources.

    “But as at today, we are still coping and we hope that very soon the Federal Government will start the process of refund and we will be in a position to ensure that we speed up all the projects we have”.

    The governor explained that a slowdown and depreciation of the naira could be a major disaster because the bridging finance was meant to be a cost saving measure for the state.

    On the Koka flyover project, he expressed optimism that the project would be completed in December, 2022.

    “I can actually see that work is on schedule and they have gone very far from the briefing that I received from the Commissioner for Works.

    “You know that when we came in last, they told me that they would try and finish it in February, next year, but I put a lot of pressure and insisted that we wanted it completed this year.

    “The information I received is that they are still working very hard to ensure that they finish the project by the middle of December.

    “From what we can see, the super structure of the bridge is already on and a lot of work is being done and by October, it is expected that this would have finished completely.

    “And, the work to provide the full interchange with the road network under would also be started in due course. They have promised that they are right on time and that they would be finishing before that end of the year.

    “I am quite excited at this because it’s quite important to us. More so, when we are anticipating that the sector C2 of the Ughelli-Asaba road would be completed about the same time.

    “If there is free flow of traffic coming from Ogwashi-ukwu end to this place on a dual carriage way, it is important that we also have this completed about the same time.

    “We don’t want a clogging of traffic and it appears everything is going on as planned so I am quite happy with the pace of work,” Okowa said.

  • Delta Assembly approves Okowa’s N12bn loan request

    Delta Assembly approves Okowa’s N12bn loan request

    The Delta House of Assembly has approved Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa’s request for N12 billion bridging finance facility for the state.

    The approval was sequel to a motion moved by the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Chief Ferguson Onwo, during plenary on Tuesday in Asaba.

    Okowa, through a letter read by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Sherriff Oborevwori, requested for the approval of the Assembly for the facility.

    Okowa said the state was expecting a bridging finance credit from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to cushion the effect of resumption of repayment of the Federal Government’s intervention facilities on the expiration of the forbearance period.

    “This bridging finance sum is to be received in six equal consecutive monthly instalments of N3.037 billion.

    “The House may further note that in a bid to defray arrears of unpaid certificates earned by contractors with respect to completion of some critical ongoing legacy projects awarded by this administration.

    “This will also help the state take advantage of the subsisting dry season to galvanise contractors toward completing and achieving significant milestone in the ongoing projects.

    “This became necessary to secure bulk funds at minimal costs, pending complete receipts of the Federal Government Nigeria(FGN) bridging finance credits in May 2022,” Okowa said in the letter.

    He said the state’s Executive Council at its first meeting on Jan. 20, 2022, considered and approved the request of state government to obtain N12 billion bridging finance facility from Zenith Bank Plc, against the expected FGN-CBN monthly inflows.

    According to Okowa, the purpose of the letter is to seek authorisation of State House of Assembly, for the state government to accept and utilise the loan facility from Zenith Bank Plc with terms and conditions.

    Also, to issue an appropriate Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) to defray the loan.

    Consequently, the Majority Leader moved a motion for the approval of the governor’s request and the motion was unanimously adopted by the Assembly when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker.

    Meanwhile, the Assembly on Tuesday received a bill for a law to provide for the collection and processing of data of persons commuting in public/commercial transport within, into and out of Delta.

    The House also received a bill for a law to repeal the Delta Development and Property Authority Law, 1960 and re-enact the Delta Development and Property Authority Law to exercise the functions of property development authorities.

    The bill for a law to repeal and re-enact the waterways tax, control and licensing of boats law was also received by the Assembly.

    The three bills were sent through a letter by Governor Okowa.

  • Okowa sends 7 nominees to Delta Assembly for approval as House of Assembly service commission members

    Okowa sends 7 nominees to Delta Assembly for approval as House of Assembly service commission members

    Delta Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa has forwarded seven names of nominees for appointment as chairman and members of the State House of Assembly Commission to the legislature for approval.

    The names of the nominees which are contained in a letter were read during plenary of the Assembly by the Speaker, Chief Sherriff Oborevwori on Wednesday in Asaba.

    Okowa said reconstitution of the commission was sequel to the expiration of the tenure of its former chairman and members.

    ”In exercise of the power conferred on me by Section 4, subsection (4) of the Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission (Establishment) Law, 2021, I wish to present the following persons for confirmation by the House.

    ”Mrs Cordelia Anyangwu as chairman, Chief Philomena Oyearone, Chief Timothy Umukoro, Mrs Mowoe Fou, Mr Sunday Ebireri, Chief Innocent Okofu and Sir Andrew Ukavwe as members of the commission.

    ”It would be greatly appreciated if the names of the nominees are presented before the House for consideration and confirmation, to enable me to effect their appointments in line with the law,” the letter said.

    Consequently, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Chief Ferguson Onwo, moved a motion for the Assembly to receive the letter from the governor.

    The motion was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers when put to a voice vote by the speaker, after it was seconded by the Deputy Majority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Photo Preyor.

    The nominees are expected to appear before the Assembly for screening on Thursday.

  • Delta Assembly passes anti-open grazing bill

    Delta Assembly passes anti-open grazing bill

    The Delta State House of Assembly has passed the bill Prohibiting Open Grazing, indiscriminate Breeding, Rearing and Marketing of Livestock in Delta State.

    The bill was passed following a motion by the Majority Leader of the House, Ferguson Onwo and adopted during Tuesday’s resumed plenary presided over by Speaker Sherrif Oborevwori.

    The Chairman House Committee on Special Bills, Pat Ajudua presented the report on the bill on the floor of the House, which was received and adopted.

    She disclosed that inputs of stakeholders formed part of the proposed law.

    The bill, when eventually signed into law, prohibits the carrying of firearms, either licenced or otherwise, by residents or individuals in the State.

    It also seeks to address the arbitrary rearing and movements of livestock in the State.

    Speaker Oborevwori expressed happiness over the development, saying that Deltans and other residents of the State would be very happy that the bill was passed.

    “Dear Colleagues, I congratulate all of us on the passage of this very important Bill. Today, the House has fulfilled the commitment of our dear State to the agreement reached at the south-South Governors’ meeting held here in our State Capital.

    “By virtue of this Bill, this House has demonstrated its resolve to protect the people of the State from the menace of clashes between herders and farmers. I must therefore, commend all the Sponsors of this Bill, for recognizing that the security of lives and properties of Deltans as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered) are sacrosanct”, Oborevwori stated.

    Continuing the Speaker explained that “the passage of this Bill, well-meaning persons who seek to carry on the business of breeding, rearing and marketing of livestock shall do so within the boundaries of the Law.

    “Also, farmers can now go about their businesses without fear of anyone grazing on their crops. This for sure will boost food production in the State.

    “Dear colleagues, this bill is a right step in the right direction as our women can now go to their farmlands without fear of molestation.

    “Once again, I thank you all for your untiring support as always and for your resolute commitment in the passage of people oriented Bills such as this.”

  • New Exco: Delta Assembly screens, confirms Okowa’s 17 commissioner nominees, one absent

    New Exco: Delta Assembly screens, confirms Okowa’s 17 commissioner nominees, one absent

    The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday, screened and confirmed the appointments of 17 Commissioner-nominees forwarded to it by the State Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa.
    Recall that Okowa, following the dissolution of his cabinet on May 18, had on June 17 forwarded the names of 18 nominees to the State House of Assembly for appointment as commissioners.
    One of the nominees and former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Sir Fidelis Tilije, was absent during plenary where others were screened and confirmed on Tuesday in Asaba.
    Those screened and confirmed by the assembly, presided over by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, include Mr Charles Aniagwu, immediate past Commissioner for Information; Dr Barry Gbe, former Commissioner for Economic Planning; and Mr Julius Egbedi, ex-Commissioner for Agriculture.
    Others are Mr Lawrence Ejiofor, former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism;
    Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga, former Commissioner for Youths Development; Chief Arthur Akpowowo, former Commissioner for Urban Renewal; and Chief Festus Ochonogor, former Commissioner for Housing.
    Mrs Flora Alanta, former Commissioner for Women Affairs; Mr Churchill Amagada, former Commissioner for Lands; and Mr Chris Onogba, former Commissioner for Environment were also screened and confirmed for appointment as Commissioners and members of the State Executive Council.
    Similarly, Mr Jonathan Ukodhiko, Mrs Evelyn Oboro, Mr Noel Omordon,
    Mrs Rose Esenwu, Princess Shola Ogbemi-Daibo, Mrs Kate Oniawan, and
    Mr Johnbull Edema were also screened and confirmed for appointment as Commissioners
    The motion for the confirmation of the nominees was moved by the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr Oboro Preyor, and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Christopher Ochor.
    Also at plenary, the Assembly screened and confirmed the appointment of nine secretaries to Local Government Councils in the State.
    The motion for the confirmation of the appointees was moved by the deputy majority leader and seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr Innocent Anidi.
  • Delta Assembly passes State university amendment bill into law

    Delta Assembly passes State university amendment bill into law

    The Delta State House of Assembly has passed the bill to amend the Delta State University Law 1998 Cap D47 of Delta State 2008 and for other matters connected therewith into law.

    The bill was passed into law during plenary on Tuesday, 15th June, 2021 in the chambers of the State House of Assembly.

    In a unanimous debate, led by the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Kenneth Preyor, he argued saying: “Arising from the creation of the Dennis Osadebay University, which was formerly Anwai Campus to the Delta State University Abraka, there is urgent need to amend some few sections of the Delta State University Law 1998 Cap D47, which means the Delta State University Abraka will now have two campuses which is Abraka (Main) Campus and Oleh Campus as against the previous three campuses.”

    Hon. Preyor then listed the following faculties that will now be located at the Abraka main campus, namely, education, arts, social sciences, pure sciences, medical sciences, agriculture sciences, management sciences and environmental sciences, while that of Oleh Campus will be for law and engineering faculties.

    He added that by the commencement of the new law, the Facilities of Agriculture, Management Sciences, and Environmental Sciences will begin to operate fully from Abraka campus.

    The deputy majority leader then moved that the bill be read the third time and passed, which was seconded by Hon. Peter Uviejitobor, member representing Udu State Constituency.

    The Speaker, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, thanked members for their efforts in seeing to the successful amendment and speedy passage of the bill into law, explaining that it would further strengthen the Delta State University, Abraka.

  • Delta Assembly approves concessioning of Asaba Airport

    Delta Assembly approves concessioning of Asaba Airport

    The Delta House of Assembly has approved the concessioning of the Asaba International Airport to attract foreign and commercial cargoes.

    The approval followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Tim Owhefere, during its plenary on Tuesday in Asaba.

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa had earlier requested the Assembly to approve the concessioning of the airport.

    Okowa said that the concessioning was part of the efforts of the state government to leverage the transport infrastructure toward the diversification of the economy from dependence on oil revenue.

    “The state government called for the expression of interest from reputable companies for the concessioning of the airport.

    “The decision which is in line with our administration’s operation strategy, is to create room for the involvement of the private sector in the redevelopment and the upgrade of existing facilities at the Airport.

    “Such is to meet international standard as well as attract foreign commercial and cargoes airline operators into Asaba.

    “The concessioning exercise is among other accelerated investments in new infrastructure at the airport and the upgrading of the existing ones to satisfactory standard.

    “Having regard to the benefits that will accrue to the State upon the concessioning of the airport, the State Executive Council at its 9th meeting held in August 2019 approved Messrs FIDC-Menzies Consortium as the preferred bidder for the concessioning of the Asaba Airport,” he said.

    The motion for the approval of the concessioning was unanimously adopted by the Assembly.

    This was after it had been put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, and seconded by the member representing Patani constituency in the state Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Sinebe.

  • Against paucity of funds, Delta Assembly grants Okowa’s request to build ‘gigantic’ complex in Ika

    Against paucity of funds, Delta Assembly grants Okowa’s request to build ‘gigantic’ complex in Ika

    The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday approved Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s request to build a N1.7 billion mother and child medical complex at Owa-Alero in Ika North East Local Government area of the State.

    The request for the approval of the money by Okowa was contained in a letter read during plenary by the Speaker of the House, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, in Asaba

    Governor in the letter stated that the request was in line with his administration’s drive towards providing world-class health service delivery for the people of the state.

    Recall that the State Executive Council (SEC) had, at its 14th meeting, held on Nov. 1, 2019, considered and approved the construction of the centre at a total cost of N1.7 billion.

    Okowa said that the State Ministry of Health, having secured the approval, later realised that the project might not be achieved within the life span of his administration due to paucity of funds.

    “Being a flagship project, the Ministry opted for an alternative source of funding to ensure early completion through a contractor-financing model.

    “It was noted that quotations received from tenders were significantly higher than the official reserved sum of the project, and in that regard, the company with the lowest bid was considered.

    “Based on this, the State Tenders’ Board recommended to the SEC an upward review of the initial contract sum of the project.

    “Consequently, SEC, at its first meeting held on Jan. 21, considered and approved the recommended sum of N1.7 billion for the execution of the project, with 30 percent down payment in favour of NJZC International Construction Limited/Sinoma Investment International Limited, the contractor handling the project,” he said.

    According to the Governor, the contractor will finance up to 70 percent project cost, while 12 percent interest rate would be charged annually on the 70 percent project cost.

    “The State Government, in turn, is expected to issue an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) in favour of NJZC International Construction Limited/Sinoma Investment International Limited.

    “The duration of the ISPO shall be 24 months, plus six months moratorium, making it a total of 30 months for completion of the repayment plan.

    “The purpose of this letter is to seek the authorisation of the assembly in support of the financing arrangement, with respect to the construction of the project,” Okowa said.

    Consequently, the Majority Leader of the assembly, Mr Tim Owhefere, moved a motion for the House to consider and adopt the Governor’s request.

    The motion, which was unanimously adopted by the assembly when put to a voice vote by the speaker, was seconded by the member representing Ndokwa West constituency, Mr Charles Emetulu.

  • Delta Assembly confirms 7 commissioner-nominees

    The Delta House of Assembly on Thursday screened and confirmed seven additional Commissioner-nominees forwarded to it by the State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
    The screening of the nominees followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Tim Owhefere, during plenary in Asaba.
    First to be screened was Mr Martins Okonta, former Speaker of the House and former Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters.
    He was introduced by the member representing Ika South Constituency, Mr Festus Okoh, who described him as a thorough-bred politician.
    He said the former lawmaker had contributed to the development of the state and the legislature.
    The Speaker of the House, Sheriff Oborevwori and other members of the house corroborated Okoh’s accolades on their former colleague and asked Okonta to take a bow and go.
    The other confirmed nominees were Mr Lawrence Ejiofor, Chief Barry Gbe, Mr Julius Egbedi, Sir Fidelis Tilije, Mr Churchill Amagada and Mr Arthur Akpowhowho who were also told to take a bow and leave.
    They are all members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State.
    Consequently, the Majority Leader moved a motion for the nominees to be confirmed and it was unanimously adopted.

  • Delta Assembly directs state tertiary institutions to submit 2017, 2018 financial records

    The Delta House of Assembly Committee on Education has directed all the state-owned tertiary institutions to furnish it with their records of incomes and expenditures for 2017 and 2018 financial years.

    The Chairman, House Committee on Education, Ms Angela Nwaka, gave the directive during the 2019 budget defence meeting with the heads of the state-owned tertiary institutions on Thursday in Asaba.

    Nwaka said though tertiary institutions had the power to generate revenue and spend, there was need for them to be transparent in line with the laid down procedures.

    ‘’Education is a key sector in any nation.

    “As such, there is every need to strengthen it in order for them to live up to expectation in churning out qualified manpower for the nation’s developmental needs,’’ she said.

    Nwaka added that the committee was determined to do its best in assisting the state Ministry of Higher Education and other tertiary institutions in the state to achieve their set goals.

    Earlier, the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr Jude Sinebe, noted that tertiary institutions usually submitted their monthly incomes and expenditures reports to the state Ministry of Finance.

    On achievements recorded in 2018, Sinebe said, “some courses were accredited in the Delta State University, the three polytechnics and colleges of education in the state during the year.

    “The state government also embarked on some projects in Abraka and Asaba campuses of DELSU,” he said.

    Sinebe, however, appealed to the committee to appropriate more funds to the ministry to enable it to meet up with its obligations.

    He also commended Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for embarking on various projects in the state, especially in DELSU.