15th August, 2017
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Normalcy has returned to the Edo State House of Assembly, after the riotous change of leadership of the House on Monday, which saw the impeachment of three principal officers.
Consequent upon the resumption Tuesday morning, 19 out of the 24 lawmakers attended plenary, presided over by the new Speaker, Mr. Kabiru Adjoto, who exhibited firm control of affairs in the chamber.
It would be recalled that Adjoto who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency l, was elected Speaker, by 16 members of the House after the impeachment of three principal officers, including the former Speaker, Justin Okonoboh (Igueben Constituency), his Deputy, Elizabeth Ativie (Orhiomwhon Constituency) and the Majority Leader, Foly Ogedengbe (Owan East Constituency), Al of who are APC members.
Besides the impeached principal officers, also absent at the plenary were Magnus Ezehi-Igbas (PDP) representing Esan North-East ll, who is also on suspension, Audu Abdul-Ganiyu (APC), Etsako West l and Chris Okaeben (APC) Oredo West who was absent without any reason.
The Speaker commended members of the House for their contribution to the emergence of the new leadership.
He assured that the new leadership will provide purposeful and proactive leadership to ensure that they legislate for the good of the entire people of the State.
Adjoto also ordered the Clerk of the House to ensure the immediate retrieval of all official vehicles in custody of the impeached three principal officers for the use of the newly elected officials.
Meanwhile 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 council, to as a matter of urgency, see to the welfare of the communities in Estako East local government area that were ravaged by a recent oil spillage.
The resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance, moved by Kingsley Ugabi (APC), representing Etsako East Constituency.
Ugabi told the House that on July 23, 2017, oil spillage destroyed farm crops at communities in the local government area, including; Uzanu, Igiode, Epehi, Okpekpe, Amuge, Igori, South-East Uneme, Obu River.