Edo State Assembly Set To Screen Nine (9) Commissioner Nominees

By Simeon OSAJIE

Edo State House of Assembly has commenced the process of screening Nine Commissioners nominees sent to it by the State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

The Speaker Rt.Hon. Marcus Onobun who nominated a three man committee including Majority Leader of the House Rt. Hon. Henry Okhuarobo – Chairman, Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Emma Okoduwa and Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje as members urged members of the committee to commence the screening exercise immediately and advised the House accordingly.

The Nine Commissioner nominees comprised of Mr. Christopher Osaretin Nehikhare, Omololu o. Ojehomon, Afishetu Braimoh, Stephen Ehikioya Idehenre Esq and Engr Osasere Malachi Evbuomwan. Others are: Okogbe Donald Ojemeh, Bamidele D.V. Obaitan, Okojie Nosawe Newton and Engr Jonathan Osioakpaiemhe Lawan.

Also today the Speaker Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun charged members to revisite the Stamp Duty Act with a view to determine areas due for amendment to reflect present day realities.

The Hon. Speaker was reacting to a second letter sent to the House by Governor Obaseki requesting it to vary the fixed and Ad Valorem stamp duties in Edo State.

The request sort by the State government recommended N5200 fee to be charged as the new fixed and Ad Valorem Stamp Duties.

Also at plenary, the House gave second reading to a Law for the establishment of the St. Philomena college of nursing science and others, matters related therewith.

Hon. members including Rt.Hon. Emma Okoduwa, Hon. Ephraim Aluebhosele, Hon. Sunny Ojiezele Osezuwa, Rt. Hon. Roland Asoro and Rt.Hon.Henry Okhuarobo supported the Bill on the grounds that it would contribute to the educational advancement of health workers in the State, create jobs for the teeming youth and boost revenue base of the state government.

The bill was referred to House standing committee on health. For further legislative actions.

Meanwhile the House which resumed from the Christmas and new year holidays adopted a fifty three day business calendar with 20days in February, 23days in march and 10days in April making a 53 parliamentary working days in the third quarter, third session of the Seventh Assembly.