The Delta House of Assembly, on Wednesday, passed the State Local Government Amendment Bill, 2024. The bill was passed during the plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, Mr Dennis Guwor.
The amendment bill seeks to provide for the establishment, structure, composition, financing and functions of local government councils in the state.
The Assembly suspended relevant rules to enable the bill to scale through third reading and subsequent passage. Commending the lawmakers, Guwor said the amendment would strengthen local government administration in Delta.
Also at the plenary session, the Assembly adopted the recommendations of its Committee on Finance and Appropriation on the review of the 2027–2029 FSP and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.
The adoption followed a report presented by the committee’s Chairman, Mrs Marilyn Okowa-Daramola. Presenting the report, Okowa-Daramola called on the State Government to intensify economic diversification efforts by reducing dependence on oil revenue.
The committee recommended the expansion of internally generated revenue on non-oil, particularly through agriculture and tourism, to strengthen the state’s revenue base.
It also called for increased investment in ecological resilience through the maintenance of existing flood control facilities and construction of additional infrastructure.
It further recommended improved efficiency in recurrent expenditure and scientific revenue forecasting to create more resources for capital projects.
The committee called for strict prioritisation of capital projects, in line with the administration’s ‘MORE Agenda’. It demanded sustained compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards to promote transparency, improve budget credibility and ensure effective resource utilisation.
Consequently, the Leader of the House, Mr Emeka Nwaobi, moved a motion for the adoption of the report. The motion, which was adopted by the lawmakers, through a unanimous voice vote, was seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Arthur Akpowovwo.
