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Journalists of the Indigenous Correspondents Chapel (ICC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta state chapter, this afternoon (Wednesday, 19th July, 2017) called on members of the Delta state House of Assembly to come to the rescue of Deltans by urgently passing the Anti-Grazing Bill currently before the Assembly into law.
The journalists made the call during a courtesy call by the Chapel’s new executive led by Comrade Berth Ozah to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and principal officers of the House.
Ozah, who spoke on behalf of the Correspondents, explained that passing the Bill into law will help check the excesses of the rampaging herdsmen that are terrorizing Deltans.
He said: “It is however expedient to sue for urgent passage of the Anti-Grazing Bill currently before the House, as the Bill will not only check the excesses of the rampaging herdsmen terrorizing Deltans but will go a long way in ensuring that the SMART Agenda of His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa , which is anchored on agriculture is realized.
The Indigenous Correspondents also called for more robust engagement between the House leadership and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) to avoid the unnecessary bickering that characterized its relationship with the leadership of the House in the past.
Comrade Ozah while congratulating the Speaker on his emergence as leader of the Assembly, he also commended him for appointing a seasoned journalist, Comrade Dennis Out as his Chief Press Secretary, pointing out that it is an appointment that underscores the recognition nd importance that the Speaker attaches to the press.
He also applauded the harmonious working relationship that currently exists between the three arms of government in the in the state, which has helped in promoting good governance, and also commended the House for the numerous bills, motions and resolutions passed by the House, and geared towards promoting good governance.
Rt. Hon. Oborevwori in his response said that the Anti-Grazing Bill before the House is being worked on, pointing out that the House of assembly is still doing consultations on it. “We decided to put it on hold to do more consultation. When we come back from recess, we will work on the Bill so that by the time we finish work on it Deltans will be happy. I want to assure you on that,” the Speaker said.
Oborevwori thanked the ICC for deeming it necessary to come to the House leadership, adding that the allusion made about the Assembly being vibrant is because there is a good working relationship between the House and the media, which helps o disseminate information about the activities of the House. “Our major responsibility is to make laws, but we also help in doing empowerment in our constituencies,” he said, even as he called for support for the Okowa administration’s SMART agenda.