By Anne Azuka
Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, has called for concerted effort towards creating a prosperous and sustainable future in the Niger Delta region.
Rt. Hon. Akpowowo who made the call in a key note address at the Inaugural Niger Delta Summit, held in Atlanta Georgia, USA, said environmental sustainability and social equity, must be prioritized to achieve the desired economic growth and development in the region.
Speaking in an address entitled; “The Legislative Roles in Niger Delta Economic Growth and Sustainable Development”, the deputy Speaker emphasized the need for sincere commitment that would secure a better future for the Niger Delta, saying that the people had suffered deprivation for too long.
He said enhance economic competitiveness, improved living standards, protection of natural resources and promotion of social justice, would change the narratives and fast track development in the region.
Akpowowo highlighted key strategies to achieving the goal to include, investing in infrastructure and human capital, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering international cooperation and trade, protecting the environment, mitigating climate change as well as addressing poverty and inequality in the Niger Delta.
Saying that in civil and democratic system, government policies cannot stand without legislation, the Deputy Speaker reflected on the role of the Legislature in socio- economic development, which he said informed the choice of the topic for the Summit.
“Legislation is vital in regional economic development. It create enabling environment, encourage investment, develop infrastructure, promote innovation, foster trade, ensure good governance, support human capital and
encourages sustainable development”, Akpowowo stated.
The Deputy Speaker pointed out that the legislature remains a crucial part in shaping economic development and creating an environment conducive for growth and prosperity.
He took participants to the oversight function aspect of the legislature, maintaining that it had helped to monitoring the implementation of economic development projects as well as ensured transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, amongst others.
Answering questions raised by participants in response to his presentation, Rt Hon Akpowowo said Delta State is lucky to have two seasoned Lawmakers as Governor and immediate Governor of the state, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, respectively.
He noted that the development had created sound synergy between the Executive and Legislative arms of government in the state as well as the legislative process in the state.
The Deputy Speaker who represents Ethiope East in the State Legislature, said the state government is doing much to creating enabling environment to attract investors in large numbers to the state, including in the area of farming.
“The State Assembly had enacted a Law against Open grazing in the state since 2021. Good enough, I am the Chairman, Assembly Committee on Legislative Compliance. We are determined to enforce the Law to forestall destruction of farm crops as well as remove fear from our farmers.
“The Law against “Deve” and other related laws are all targeted to ease ways of doing business and promote socio-economic development in Delta State”, Akpowowo explained.
The Deputy Speaker commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his visionary leadership in the state and encouraged investors to avail themselves the friendly business environment to invest in Delta State.
