Edo new speaker holds plenary with 18 lawmakers in attendance

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

The new Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto, yesterday presided over the plenary with 18 lawmakers in attendance.

Adjoto emerged as speaker on Monday after he was elected by 16 members of the House in the  aftermath of the impeachment of the former speaker, Justin Okonoboh, his deputy, Elizabeth Ativie, Uhunmwode and the majority leader, Foly Ogedengbe (APC).

The impeached three principal officers were absent from yesterday’s sitting.

Also absent was Magnus Ezehi-Igbas, who was suspended for three months for allegedly attempting to obstruct the impeachment of the erstwhile speaker.

Other members absent were Audu AbdulGaniyu, who sent an apology and Chris Okaeben, who was absent without any reason.

During the session, Adjoto commended the members of the House for the new leadership and assured them that they would provide purposeful and proactive leadership to ensure that members legislate for the betterment of the people of the state. He also ordered the clerk to ensure the immediate retrieval of all official vehicles in the custody of the impeached three principal officers for the use of the new elected officials.

At the sitting, the House passed a resolution calling on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Edo State Ministry of Environment, Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOPADEC), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and Etsako East local Government Area to see to the welfare of the communities in Estako council that were ravaged by recent oil spillage.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Kingsley Ugabi.

The lawmaker informed the House that communities in the local government were on July 23, 2017 ravaged by oil spillage which destroyed farm crops at Uzanu, Igiode, Epehi, Okpekpe, Amuge, Igori, South-East Uneme and Obu River.

He explained that agricultural activities of the affected communities had been adversely affected and called on the relevant agencies in the management of oil spillage and provision of relief materials to come to the aid of the affected communities.

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