The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Trade and Investment has assured stakeholders that all submissions and recommendations on the proposed Delta State Gaming Board Bill will be carefully scrutinized to strengthen the legislation.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Collins Egbetamah, gave the assurance during a public hearing held at the Press Centre of the Assembly Complex. The exercise brought together key stakeholders who made both written and oral presentations on the proposed bill.
Hon. Egbetamah, flanked by committee members including Hon. (Dr.) James Augoye, Hon. Frank Esenwah, and Hon. Bino Obowomano, emphasized that stakeholders’ contributions remain vital to the legislative process. He noted that their inputs would help the House develop a robust, transparent, and inclusive legal framework to regulate gaming activities in Delta State.
The Chairman explained that the Bill seeks to repeal several existing laws, including the Delta State Lotteries Board Law of 1976, the Delta State Lotteries Law of 1976, the Delta Lotteries Law of 1990, the Delta State Pools Betting (Control and Taxation) Law of 1996, and the Delta State Betting Duty Law of 1954.
Speaking at the hearing, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, expressed optimism that the proposed law, when passed, would boost state revenue and create job opportunities, particularly for young people.
However, the Executive Director of the Delta State Internal Revenue Service, Prof. Frank Nwugo, expressed a divergent view, warning that the proposed legislation could result in revenue leakages. He maintained that the Service remains the only agency legally empowered to generate and collect revenue for the state.
Other key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Trade and Investment, Economic Planning, the Board of Internal Revenue Service, the Delta State Signage and Advertisement Agency, and the Delta State Investment Development Agency, also made submissions at the public hearing.
The Committee assured that all views expressed would be carefully considered in the overall interest of the State.
