Politics

Delta Speaker tasks legislative aides on dividend of democracy

Published

5 years ago

August 9, 2021

Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, Speaker of Delta House of Assembly, has urged legislative aides at the House, to assist lawmakers towards providing dividend of democracy to the people.

Oborevwori said this at the opening of a two-day training for the political staff of lawmakers on Monday in Asaba.

“Whatever your designation, your duty is to complement your boss’s duty of lawmaking, representation and oversight.

“You are expected to go out of your comfort zone to do research on issues pending before the house, to prepare your boss for plenary and Committee meetings,” he said.

According to him, the essence of the workshop is to enhance participants’ understanding of the legislative practice and procedure, as well as how they could contribute to the effective performance of their principals.

He noted that the house recognised the importance of political support staff, who were non career staff.

“Their role in the house is crucial and fundamental to the success of their principals, in carrying out their legislative business.

“It is expected that political support staff should have a working knowledge of the practice and procedure of the legislature.

“Nevertheless, the skills to function well in the legislature can be inculcated in persons who are employed as political support staff through trainings and workshops.

“And this is exactly why the leadership of the house has approved this workshop, to raise your skills to deliver well in the job you are employed to do,” he said.

The speaker stated that the ultimate aim of the workshop, therefore, was to develop a virile political support staff that would facilitate the work of the lawmakers at the house.

“It is my belief that this workshop will equip you to discharge your duties effectively and render excellent services going forward. Therefore, I want to urge you to pay keen attention to the lectures.

“Further, I wish to state unequivocally that one of the top priorities of the 7th Assembly under my leadership is training and re- training of members, staff and political support staff.

“We have been able to sustain this policy courtesy of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa,” he said.

Earlier, the Clerk of the House, Mrs Luna Ochulor, said the aim of the workshop was to expose the participants to the principles, practice and procedure in a modern legislature.

“It is my firm belief that the knowledge you will gain here will make you become more responsive to your tasks and duties.

“We have assembled the best of instructors, who have firm understanding of what is expected of a legislative aide,” she said.

The workshop has the theme: “Principles, Practice and Procedure in a Modern Legislature”.