Catch up with the news!

BENIN—THE Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Zakawanu Garuba, yesterday, lamented what he described as alleged persistent failure of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led state executive to implement resolutions of the House.

He said the House would have used its own machinery to enforce the resolutions but that it would be misconstrued that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dominated House was out to fight the governor because he is in a different political party.

But in a swift reaction, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Affairs and Strategy, Mr. Eric Osagie, described the allegation as untrue, asserting that “ all the actions of the executive since its inception have been in the overall interest of the people of the state.

“Rule of law and decency have guided most of the actions of the Comrade governor.  For us, there is nothing the executive has done which could be interpreted to mean a deliberate slight on the powers of the House of Assembly”.

The Speaker, who raised the alarm while fielding questions from newsmen on the occasion of the 2nd year anniversary of the Assembly, disclosed that the House had 15 bills in its favour and passed 107 resolutions, adding that majority of them have been treated with levity by the executive.

“So, we feel very aggrieved that our resolutions are not being enforced. We are in a very difficult situation because of the political divide. If we insist, it will look as if we are fighting the governor. When Osunbor was here, we had a way of enforcing our resolutions but now we are in a delicate situation now”.

“For example, on Wednesday here, because we decided to investigate the on-going demolition exercise because of the confusion in the matter. We got a petition from one of the communities that the land government said belonged to it was their own.

“So we said they should stop the demolition until we conclude investigation. But they ignored us and went on with the demolition the next day, is that fair?   Ee queried.
Zakawanu added:   “Let them see us as partners.

We are only interested on what will benefit our people and nothing more. When we pass resolutions that benefit them, they will implement but when it has to do with other issues they do what they like”.