By Eben Enasco
Edo State House of Assembly is considering a bill to domesticate the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in the State, 2023.
The bill, which was recently introduced in the spirit of uniformity, alignment, and harmony, aims to enhance the welfare of teachers in the state.
House Majority Leader, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, flagged off the debate, urging members to support the bill.
He emphasized that the bill will allow teachers to serve longer, imparting their knowledge and experience to younger generations.
Several other members, including Hon. Osezua Ojiezele, Hon. Nicholas Asonsere, and Hon. Kingsley Ugabi, spoke in support of the bill, highlighting the need for standardization, uniformity, and more incentives for teachers.
After the debate, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku expressed his support for the bill and committed it to the Committee on Education, Rule, and Business for further review and reporting within two weeks.
In other business, the House considered a report from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on the Audited Report of the Office of the Auditor General, Edo State, for 2021 and 2022.
The report highlighted four findings and five recommendations, including timely responses and strict penalties for MDAs that fail to comply, adequate staffing of finance departments, and reconciliation with the Auditor General.
The House also received reports from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Standing Committee on Environment Sustainability and Transport on various petitions, including the unlawful revocation/termination of contracts by Uhonmwode Local Government Council.
The House, however, adjourned sitting until Wednesday, May 15, 2024, after an adjournment motion moved by Hon. Nicholas Asonsere and seconded by Hon. Kaycee Osamwonyi.
