By Bernadette Idalu
BENIN CITY- Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has urged newly inducted members of the State House of Assembly (7th Assembly) to surpass their predecessors at coming up with bills and motions that would drive development in the state.
Addressing the Legislators during a one day induction programme at Randeki Hotel, on the issue of legislation, based on his experience as a former legislator, haven raised 172 bills and motions in a space of 20months at the national assembly, aside years at the state assembly, Shaibu told the inductees that their capacity at raising positive bills will distinguished them and set them apart as politicians.
Telling them to have robust relationship with other tiers of government, Shaibu nonetheless advised them to know their duties as legislators and know when to apply the rules.
He sued on the need to be faithful at actualizing promises to constituents as credible messengers for their reputation could easily get destroyed by aggrieved persons, this could cost them their political careers.
For actualization of political mandate, Shaibu told the law makers to dialogue with the executive arm of government, to attract projects to their constituencies, which was a positive show of the wake and see government at work.
Noting that legislators don’t have to war to get things done despite the rubber stamp tag, he noted that at the end of the day, the number of meaningful motions and bills passed which accelerate development, would be what counts. He gave the pass mark to the 6th, Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), for progressive legislature.
Outgoing speaker, EDHA, Rt. Hon Kabiru Adjoto informed that a number of bills and motions were passed by the 6th Assembly which he observed surpassed the previous assembly.
Adjoto said the relationship with the executive arm of government was a pointer to the level of cooperation which led to the wake and see sobriquet which people echoed, due to the enabling environment, through Parliament, operating in tandem with executive and judiciary. He affirmed that they engineered the process of law making in EDHA which led to digitalization, hence the need to induct new house members on following the right path.
EDHA incumbent member representing Etsako East, Hon. Kingsley Ugabi, said the induction was a reminder to provide good governance.
Retired Clerk, EDHA, Barr. Egbe Evbuomwan addressed the inductees on,”General functions of the legislature/Role of the individual law maker.”
