Edo Assembly passes Local Government, EDSIEC amendment bills

The Edo House of Assembly has passed the Edo State Local Government Electoral Bill and Edo State Independent Electoral Commission Establishment Reenactment Amendment 1 Bill 2022, known as the Principal Law.

 The Speaker of the Edo State   House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Marcus Onobun,   at plenary on Monday, emphasized the importance of the bills. The Speaker said “The amendment is a needed impetus in strengthening the local government system as well as deepening democracy.”

Rt.Hon. Onobun, thereafter, directed the Clerk of the House to forward clean copies of the resolution to Governor Godwin Obaseki for assent.

Meanwhile, the House deferred consideration of the bill for a law to repeal the Edo State Development and Property Agency Law 2018 to a later date for proper deliberation.

The Speaker said the deliberation would give the lawmakers an opportunity to consult with constituents and other stakeholders.

Earlier, the Majority Leader of the House, member representing Ikpoba Okha Constituency, Henry Okhuarobo, in his submission, called for the suspension of some house rules and dissolve into the Committee of the Whole.

The House also received a letter from   Gov. Obaseki with the names of nominees for Chairman and Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Healthcare Agency for consideration and confirmation.

Obaseki, in a letter dated Aug. 4,  requested the House to properly screen and confirm two nominees, Dr Felix Ogedengbe and Dr Izedomwen Omosigho.

Speaker Onobun, thereafter, set up a three-man ad hoc committee comprising Nosayaba Okunbor, Ephraim Aluebhosele and Emma Agbaje as members to interact and screen the nominees and report to the House.

The House later adjourned sitting to Tuesday.