The Edo House of Assembly on Thursday passed four bills and confirmed 15 civil commissioners at its valedictory session marking the end of the state’s seventh assembly in Benin.
The bills are a bill for a law to make provision for the emolument of elected political officers and public officers 2023, a bill for a law to provide for the pension rights of the governor and the deputy governor 2023.
Others are a bill for a law to provide for sanitation, pollution and waste management and a bill to establish a unified local government agency.
The house also amended and adopted new house rules which threw up some controversies before its adoption.
House Speaker Marcus Onobun had earlier called on the members representing Esan North East I and Esan South East, Assemblyman Francis Okiye and Assemblyman Sunny Ojiezele respectively to second the adoption of the motion.
But the two lawmakers declined, saying that they had no idea of the content of the new house rules.
Also at plenary, the house confirmed 15 commissioners as civil commissioners in the state.
They are Christopher Nehikhare, Monday Osaigbovo, Isoken Omo, Joan Oviawe, Ethan Uzamere, Stephen Idehenre, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi and Patrick Unaseru.Others are Samuel Alli, Adeze Aguele-Kalu, Kingsley Uwagbale, Uyi Oduwa Malaka, Joshua Omokhodion, Ojeifoh Enaholo and Christabel Omo Ekwu.
The house also approved the request of Governor Godwin Obaseki to obtain N3.5 billion contract and asset finance auto-loan facility.
According to the governor, N2 billion will be used for the procurement of hospital equipment for Stella Obasanjo hospital and N1.5 billion will be used to procure vehicles for the 24 incoming legislators and the state chief judge.
Thereafter, Mr Onobun opened the floor as he thanked his colleagues and staff of the assembly for their support over the years.
Mr Onobun, in his valedictory speech, stated that the seventh assembly passed 54 bills, 48 of the bills were assented to and also passed 118 resolutions.
“The turbulence that characterised the inauguration of the seventh assembly made us heroes of democracy having done the job of 24 members,” he said.
Mr Onobun, however, thanked his constituency, the governor and the people of Edo for the privilege to serve.
House deputy speaker Roland Asoro, member representing PDP Orhiomwon south, thanked his constituency and the governor for the enabling environment for the house to function.
Former House Speaker Francis Okiye, member representing PDP Esan North East I, reflected on the milestones the house recorded in the last four years.
Mr Okiye said “we have sojourned together in the last four years through challenges and I believe that each of us contributed his quota to the development of the state”.
Other lawmakers also took turns to appreciate God and their constituencies for the privilege to represent them in the house.
The seventh assembly came into being by a proclamation by Mr Obaseki On June 17, 2019.
All 24 seats were won by the then ruling party, APC.
However, before the proclamation, the politicking of who becomes the speaker tore the legislators-elect into two major factions.
At the inauguration on June 17, only 10 members out of 24 presented themselves for inauguration.
The house, thereafter, adjourned sine die (with no appointed date).
