…Lawmakers refer emergency management agency bill to committee
BENIN CITY — The Edo State House of Assembly has received the 2026 Supplementary Appropriation Bill presented by Governor Monday Okpebholo for legislative consideration and approval.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Yekini Idaiye, announced the receipt of the proposed
legislation during Monday’s plenary after reading a letter from the governor formally transmitting the bill to the legislature for necessary action.
Idaiye said the bill would be listed on the House Order Paper for consideration at a later date, adding that the proposed supplementary budget would undergo the requisite legislative scrutiny before the lawmakers take a decision on its approval.
In a related development, the Assembly referred a bill seeking to establish the Edo State Emergency Management Agency to the House Committee on Environment and Sustainability for further legislative consideration.
The referral followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Sunday Ojezele, and seconded by the member representing Ovia North-East II, Mr Charity Aiguobarueghian.
Leading the debate on the proposed legislation, Ojezele said the establishment of the agency would provide a legal and operational framework for coordinating emergency response, safeguarding lives and property, and strengthening the state’s capacity to manage disasters.
He identified seasonal flooding and environmental challenges arising from prolonged dry weather as some of the emergencies that the proposed agency would be equipped to address.
Other lawmakers who contributed to the debate supported the initiative, emphasising the need for a coordinated and effective emergency management system to respond promptly to disasters and mitigate their impact on affected communities.
They noted that establishing the agency would provide the necessary legal backing for dedicated budgetary allocations and facilitate the distribution of relief materials to communities affected by emergencies.
Following deliberations, the Speaker referred the bill to the Committee on Environment and Sustainability for further legislative work.
The House subsequently adjourned plenary to Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
