Edo State House of Assembly has today enacted the Bill for a Law to amend the Edo State Local Government Law 2000 and for purposes connected there with. The Bill scaled through its third reading after the presentation of report and findings by the House standing committee on local government and community affairs chaired by Hon. Ephraim Aluebhosele, member representing Igueben constituency.
Majority Leader, Rt.Hon. Henry Okhuarobo, member representing Ikpoba Okha constituency, in a formal application moved for the dissolution of plenary into committee of the whole for further deliberation and consideration of the report. The application was ably supported by the Minority Leader, Hon Emmanuel Omoladun Agbaje , Member representing Akoko-Edo II constituency.
The single amendment is targeted at section 64 of the Principal Law in view of an additional sub section, which states that the Directors at grade level 16 in the Local Government Service Commission shall be upgraded to be at par with the Directors at grade level 17 in the State Civil Service Commission and the Heads of Service of Local Government service Commission shall be integrated into the consolidated salary grades equivalent to Directors of departments and Secretaries in the Civil Service of the State.
After a unanimous vote in favour of the amendment, the Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amb Marcus Onobun requested the house Clerk, Alhaji Yahaya Omogbai Audu to forward clean copies of the Bill to appropriate authority.
The new Law is to be cited as the Edo State Local Government Amendment Law 2022.
Also at the plenary, the house moved to consider the fixed and Ad Valorem stamp duties in Edo State. In a harmless application in support of the act moved by Hon. Nosayaba Okunbor, member representing Orhiomwon I constituency, citing that the current charges are outdated and do not meet the standard of present day economic needs. Seconding the application, the Chief Whip, Rt Hon. Emma Okoduwa, member representing Esan North-East II said the new charges will boost revenue in the state.
Recall that the request was earlier sort by the State government to review the fee and various stamp duties in the State and recommending a N5,200 fee charge as the new fixed and Ad Valorem stamp duties.
After a congruent vote in favour, the House Speaker requested copies of the house resolution be sent to relevant agency.
The Speaker thereafter seized the opportunity to urge the Ad hoc committee responsible for screening the new commissioner nominees to expedite the process to enable them commence the business of the State immediately.
A motion for adjournment was thereafter moved by Hon. Sunday Ojiezele and seconded by Deputy whip, Hon. Ephraim Aluebhosele of Esan South-East and Igueben respectively. Consequently plenary was adjourned to Monday 7th February, 2022.
