The Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Gumor Emomotiti Dennis, yesterday, faulted the Attorney General of Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, for dragging the 36 states of the federation to court over local council autonomy, saying: “It is unconstitutional for the Federal Government to deduct from the state what belong to the local councils.”
Gumor, at a press briefing as part of activities marking one year anniversary of the 8th Assembly, said that it was wrong, in the first place, for the AGF to have instituted court action against the states when there was already an amendment process of the Constitution.
According to the Speaker, only 16 of the 36 states agreed to the autonomy of the local councils, which means that it falls short of the expectations of what the Constitution provides.
He said: “The Federal Government should have waited for a constitutional amendment, but it hurriedly approached the court, which, to me, is an aberration and unconstitutional.”
On the achievements of the House during the last one year, Guwor noted that the House had considered some notable motions and adopted resolutions that brought about the welfare and security of Deltans.
The motion condemning rising incidence of open sex trade and use of illicit drugs among youths in Asaba and environs, as well as motion calling on the governor to prohibit the use of styrofoam (also known as polystyrene) as cups, plates or any form of packaging for food or beverages in the state.
“In the period under review, the House received a total of 18 Bills; 15 executive Bills and three private members Bills, of which nine Bills have been passed and three assented to.
According to the Speaker, those assented to include the supplementary Appropriation (Amendment) Bill, 2022; Additional Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2022, and Appropriation Bill, 2024.
He added that Delta State Merit Award Bill, 2023, Delta State Social Investment Programme Bill, 2023, Delta State Persons with Disability Bill, 2023 and others had been passed but awaiting assent.
