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Delta Assembly passes Local Government
Bill in rowdy session
By
Tunke-Aye Bisina
Reporter, Asaba
The Delta State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed the
State's New Local Government Law amid a rowdy session with some contentious
sections of the law tearing members apart.
Members threw decorum to the wind while considering issues,
such as appropriation of funds for manpower development, provision for
transitional committees, among others.
The House had on Tuesday made provision for the setting
aside of one percent of the monthly allocation due to the councils from the
Federation Account to the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy
Affairs for the manpower development of elected officials at the various
councils.
But the Majority Leader, Mr. Ossai Ossai, sought the leave
of the House on Wednesday and moved that Section 78 subsection 4 of the bill
that contained that provision be expunged on the grounds that it was wrong for
the House to appropriate the funds due to the councils to the ministry, rather,
such monies should be deducted from monies appropriated to the state.
This position was challenged by Misan Ukubeyinje, Ejaife
Odebala, Akpodiogaga Emeyese among others, stressing that since that issue had
been decided upon the previous day, it was wrong to reconsider it.
However, the Speaker, Mr. Young Igbrude, noted that the
Majority Leader was raising a constitutional issue and ought to be heard. At
this point, Ossai referred the House to Section 121 which deals on the powers
of the House to appropriate funds to the state.
Ukubeyinje, interjected insisting that going by Section
162(8) of the same constitution which states "The amount standing to the
credit of local government councils of a state shall be distributed among the
local government councils of a state on such terms and in such manner as may be
prescribed by the House of assembly of the state," The decision to deduct
the one per cent for the training of the elected officials was in order.
Odebala and Emeyese, all relying on the same provision,
stressed that revisiting the issue was unnecessary since a decision on it had
been reached.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr. Pius Ewherido, Dr.Olisa Imegwu, Mr.
Daniel Mayuku, among others, differed, arguing on the strength of thr same
provision that the distribution is to the local governments, and that it was
wrong for the House to appropriate funds meant for the councils to the state.
This resulted in a rowdy session with those speaking in
favour and against shouting on the top of their voices.
The Speaker ruled that it was unconstitutional for the
provision to be inserted in the law. But those who wanted the provision
retained called for vote. The other group insisted that since the issue was a
constitutional matter, the speaker's ruling should be final.
Igbrude also stated that his ruling was final and ordered
that the section be expunged from the law, a decision that sparked off another
controversy. When it was realised that the speaker would not bulge, Odebala
walked out of the chambers in annoyance and came in about an hour later.
Also, question about whether provisions should be made for
transition committees when it will not be possible to hold elections generated
controversy. It was decided, however, that such should not be inserted in the
law.
The law was passed eventually, but the House reversed
itself on its earlier decision to ratify the budgets of the local councils and
replaced it with a provision that the appropriation bye-laws of the councils
should be submitted to the House.
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