By Alltimepost.com
Newly sworn-in members of Edo State House of Assembly have been reminded of their electioneering campaign promises by the state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who told them they must deliver on such promises.
Comrade Oshiomhole charged the lawmakers of the 6th State House of Assembly, led by new Speaker, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror who paid him a visit yesterday at the State House in Benin City to deliver on their promises to their various constituencies.
“during the electioneering campaigns, we went round with all of you to different locations across the state. We made promises, we made commitments about what we will do.
“We all have great insight into the challenges confronting our people. Our people have trusted us on the basis of our past performance but also they believe that we will deliver on the promises that we have made to them.”
The Governor reminded them of the state’s financial constraints, saying: “You are coming into government at a very challenging moment when revenue accruing to Edo State from the federation account is today less than half, that is about 45% of what is in the federal budget and the situation is unlikely to change immediately.”
He however hoped that newly sworn in President Muhammadu Buhari will bring to bear, his well-known disposition to discipline and ensure efficiency and fight corruption in the oil sector, thereby blocking all financial loopholes and fraudulent practices to make money available for distribution at the federation account level.
“We have little or no control over the prices of oil but we can have control on what we do with the proceeds from oil.
“In Edo State we have leaned heavily on the House over the years for the necessary legislative backing for all the executive initiative particularly in the area of taxation, other revenue and Land Use Act, consumption tax, sanitation and every other area,” Oshiomhole remarked.
According to him, the House of Assembly has been a true partner in a sheer commitment to rebuilding a state that will again become a reference point in Nigeria.
Governor Oshiomhole bragged about Edo State being one of the few states of the federation that have paid salaries to workers up-to-date.
His words: “Mr. Speaker Sir, I am very happy and proud to the fact that as we stand today, Edo State is about one of the 10 states throughout the 36 states of the federation that is paying salaries up-to-date and we have paid even the one of May even before the end of May.
“We have to do what we do because government must be seen to respect the right of people who are in its employment and we have had to forgo many other things in order to make this happen”.
Oshiomhole however noted that despite the financial challenges facing the country, the Contractors in the state are still on ground working in the 3 senatorial areas as Edo State Government was doing everything possible to meet its financial obligation to them.
He congratulated the newly elected Speaker and other principal officers of the House and said that he would continue to service the legislature in order to foster the existing cordial relationship between the two arms of government.
On his part, the newly elected Speaker, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, on behalf of other members of the 6th Assembly said: “We are here to inform you that following the letter of proclamation you sent that the Edo State House of Assembly has been inaugurated and Principal Officers constituted.”
“We have directed the Clerk of the House to inform you officially that the House is open for you to send in your letter of business of government,” he said.
He emphasized that the new Assembly was made up of a very vibrant team, ready to collaborate with the Executive in taking the state to greater heights.
Other Principal Officers of the 6th Assembly include Hon. Bright Osayande, Deputy Speaker; Hon. Folly Ogedegbe, Majority Leader; Hon. Elizabeth Ativie, Deputy Majority Leader and Hon. Kabiru Adjotor, Chief Whip.
