BY DAN OWEGIE
Barring all odds, the 7th Edo State House of Assembly is expected to be proclaimed this week signaling commencement of the business of law-making for the next four years. The new legislators would take their seats to make laws and pass resolutions to better the lives of the people of the state.
It also noteworthy that the 6th Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto and others who were there before him, performed creditably well by contributing its quota to the development of the state. The House remarkably passed about 71 bills and moved over 200 resolutions during the last four years.
It is important that one joins all illustrious sons and daughters of the state to commend all those who served in the 6th Assembly for their outstanding contributions in deepening democratic processes in the state and for supporting the executive arm in delivering dividends of democracy to Edo people.
No doubt, the 6th Assembly was a progressive assembly, which contributed to positive changes in the state. They undoubtedly helped in deepening the tools of democracy and even though they had their internal issues they grappled with, which led to changes in the House leadership for about three or four time, Edo people did not witness ugly incidences that other state governors had with their assembly men that could break down governance and endanger democracy.
Edo people appreciate them for the passage of the Anti-Community Development Association (CDA) bill, which has helped government to make the state more business-friendly and to drive development. The Bill helped to bring an end to the embarrassment some idle youths operating under the guise of CDA subjected developers to. Most developers now go about their development without let or hindrance from the outlawed group, courtesy of the Edo Assembly working in cooperation of the executive arm of government.
Also, the Bill abolishing human trafficking in the state is another remarkable feat of the 6th assembly. Edo State, before the coming on board of the Godwin Obaseki administration and before the enthronement of our revered Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the state was a hot bed for human trafficking. Young boys and girls and even married women were, almost on a daily basis ferried away to Europe and Americas and later middle east for horrible reasons, not even the better lives victims were promised before they are trafficked.
Most importantly, the quality of work put into the bills sent to the 6th Assembly by the executive arm of government for consideration was incredible, and as it were, members of the 6th Assembly have stamped their feet in the sand of time and generations unborn will remember each and every one of them for their positive contributions to the state.
Given the huge success performed by the 6th assembly, it is important that the incoming members of the 7th Assembly ensure they pass more people-friendly bills. They should also ensure that the bills weigh-in on some of the developmental challenges buffeting the state.
They should make laws that would guarantee peaceful co-existence amongst all ethnic nationalities in the state. Laws that would enhance security of lives and property in the state which ultimately enhance the success recorded in the area of ease of doing business.
They 7th Assembly should also ensure they help make laws that would support the Open Government Partnership which the state signed unto in April, 2019. Laws that would guarantee Permanent Dialogue Mechanism (PDM) between citizens and Government. Laws that would help curb corruption and enhance transparency and accountability.
Edo people also expects the 7th Assembly to make laws that would guarantee Freedom of Information (FOI) for citizens. Laws that would enhance budget transparency and access to justice by citizens, particularly vulnerable citizens and those at the grassroots.
It is important that the 7th Assembly builds on the foundation laid by their predecessors in sustaining cordial relationship with executive arm of government, more so when the
The new lawmakers should also review all old and archaic laws that have outlived their usefulness. Laws that were made in the old Mid-West and Bendel State Assemblies should be reviewed and aligned with modern realities. Laws that provide for a slap in the wrist for criminal offences should be revisited and made more stringent for deterrence purposes.
The 7th Assembly should also make laws to guarantee full independence of the other two arms of government, where the executive arm of government has no control over their activities. The fact that the APC is in power does not mean that the Assembly should constitute itself into a rubber stamp. There should be healthy debates amongst the lawmakers to ensure that draconian or self-serving Bills are not passed.
That notwithstanding, it is important to emphasise that the executive arm of government cannot work in isolation and must always seek the cooperation of the legislature. The 7th Assembly should provide that cooperation when needed to advance development in the state.
All Progressives Congress has all the seats in the 7th assembly. We do not have any opposition voice and no APC member in the 7th Assembly should constitute himself into an opposition of some sorts. This would not only be resisted by the party, but will be resisted by Edo people who are pleased with the APC government in the State.
Mr. Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State.
