Delta Assembly Passes Physical Planning, Urban Renewal Bill

By Onomiguren Agbamu

The State House of Assembly, Wednesday passed the Delta State Physical Planning and Urban renewal bill, 2024.

The bill was passed after a review of its amendment at the committee of the whole house during plenary.

The house in a motion by the Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi dissolve into the committee of the whole house to review of the amendment earlier sent to by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Governor Oborevwori had in a letter to the house, sought to repeal the Urban and Regional planning Law 2021 and enact the Delta State administration of Physical planning, urban development, Urban renewal and development control activities.

The amendment seeks to reconsider clause 80 of the principal law, to reduce the membership of the Urban and Regional planning Tribunal from 15 to 3.

At the end of the committee of the whole house, the bill was thereafter read the third time and passed following a motion by the Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi supported by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Arthur Akpowovwo.

The Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor thanked the Lawmakers for granting the bill a speedy passage which will further strengthen the administration of physical planning.

To address the looming danger of food insecurity in the country, a bill to establish the Delta State food security Agency, Wednesday scaled second reading on the floor of the State Assembly.

The Delta State waste management board bill 2024 also passed second reading during Plenary.

Lead sponsor of the Delta State food security agency bill and Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi in his submission highlighted the overall objective of the bill which seeks amongst other things to create a system of food sufficiency by encouraging and embracing agriculture as the only means of survival.

Hon. Nwaobi stressed that the only way out of the food crisis challenge currently facing the country and the world in general, was to ensure that an agency by the State government regulates Agricultural activities, adding that the bill also addresses the security challenge between farmers and herders.

Other Lawmakers who spoke including the Chief whip, Hon. Perkins Umukoro, Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Arthur Akpowovwo, Hon. Charles Emetulu, Hon. Frank Esenwah, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, Hon Prince Emeka Osamuta amongst others harped on the need for such bill to come into operation in Delta State which will not only solve the problem of food crisis but also create jobs for young people and generate revenue for the State government.

The Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor thereafter referred the bill to House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources and Special committee on food and nutrition for further legislative consideration.

In a related development, the Delta State Waste management Board bill 2024 also scaled second reading during Wednesday’s plenary.

Lead sponsor of the bill and Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Arthur Akpowovwo in his debate, noted that there was need to repeal the waste management law of 2008 and make waste management system meet with modern reality which has evolved over the years.

Some Lawmakers who debated on the merits of the waste management bill including Hon. Oboro Preyor, Hon. Perkins Umukoro, Hon. Frank Esenwah, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, Hon. Charles Emetulu, Hon. Ferguson Onwo and Hon. Augustine Uroye, emphasized on the important nature of the bill saying it will further strengthen environmental sustainability which is inline with the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

The bill enjoyed a unanimous support as the Lawmakers called for it’s speedy passage.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor thereafter referred the bill to the house committee on Environment, Oil and Gas for further legislative scrutiny.

Also at the plenary, Hon. Frank Esenwah, Honourable Member Representing Oshimili North State Constituency, presented a petition to the House, regarding alleged encroachment, trespass, and illegal development of plots of land situated at Umuomake family Land, in Okpanam, Oshimili North LGA.

The petition, presented on behalf of the Ministry of Women Affairs Multi-purpose cooperative society, Asaba, was unanimously adopted by the House after seeking the necessary leave. The petition has been referred to the House Committee on Public Petition, which will present its report to the House in due time.

The house thereafter adjourned plenary to Thursday, 6 February 2025.