Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Thursday sought constructive partnership with the 24 members-elect of the State House of Assembly to accelerate development and render utmost service to the people of the state.
Governor Mbah, who spoke while declaring open a two-day pre-inauguration workshop for the 8th Assembly members-elect at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, assured them that his administration would do what it takes to ensure that the constructive partnership in the service of the people of the state will be sustained.
Represented by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, the Governor disclosed that he is making every effort to infuse the executive arm of government with the intellectual energy needed to deliver on his mandate, and fulfill his campaign promises to the people of the state.
Governor Mbah described the workshop as a step in the right direction, adding that it will extensively equip the incoming members of the state parliament with the necessary tools needed to execute their constitutional assignment.
Reminding them that quality service is expected of the new executive and legislative arms of government by the people of Enugu State, the governor said that he has no doubt that the Members-elect will perform their legislative duties efficiently and effectively.
Conveying the goodwill and felicitations of Governor Mbah to the Members-elect, the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ossai explained that the governor came prepared with his mantra of disruptive innovation, adding: “And the disruptor himself, Dr. Peter Mbah is making every effort to infuse the executive arm with the intellectual energy needed to execute this assignment.
“I am left with no doubt that our people will be happy at the end of the day because there is capacity in the governor to navigate us through a complex and possibly complicated process.
“But that process is the only pathway to the great Enugu State we have all envisioned. It is the only pathway to the apex of development that we need to keep Enugu competitive and ensure that we will be able to compete with cities around Africa and the world.”
In his welcome address, the Clerk of the House, Barr. Dr. Emmanuel Okey Udaya, stated that Governor Mbah in the light of his vision and innovative approach to issues gave him the approval to organise the two-day orientation programme for Members-elect of the State House of Assembly.
Barr. Udaya, who pointed out that the workshop has remained a valuable platform for exposing members to the fundamentals of legislative business, told the 8th Assembly Members-elect that the modified induction programme will “expose you more to the fundamentals of governance, legislative practice and procedures, leadership, management and related issues.”
According to the Clerk of the House, who is also the Head of Legislative Service: “This programme is aimed at providing a platform for participants to deepen their understanding of the mandate, workings, vision, governance and legislative processes, and to guide you to collectively reflect and initiate strategies that will enhance the delivery of the mandate of the Members and Management of the State Assembly.”
Prof. Osy Okanya, one of the resource persons present at the opening ceremony, delivered a lecture titled: “Principles of Separation of Powers and Understanding the Legislative Rules, Practice and Procedures (Standing Order) and Role of Bureaucracy and Aides.
The Speaker of the 7th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Uchenna Ubosi, is billed to deliver a lecture on “Fundamentals of Committee System and Oversight Process.”