By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
For members to be equipped with vital skills in effective legislation, public financial management and speedy passage and proper implementation of 2025 Budget, the speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, has organized a one week retreat for members.
The retreat which held in Asaba, Delta State capital, was to give insight into the implementation of 2025 budget as presented by Governor Douye Diri and also key into the A.S.S.U.R.E.D Agenda is to ensure due process in executing and addressing challenges in governance.
The opening ceremony was attended by the leadership of the Delta State House of Assembly, led the speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor.
Rt Hon Emomotimi who welcomed members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to Asaba also shared an insight into Fiscal Strategic Paper (FSP)/ Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)
While welcoming members, speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere said, the retreat serves as a re-orientation course to equipped honourable members with the requisite knowledge of lawmaking and oversight functions.
He emphasized the lawmakers’ constitutional mandate to effectively represent their constituents and improve lively hood and good governance.
The Speaker stated that it is exciting to note that Governor Douye Diri has shown great vision and commitment towards ensuring the implementation of the ASSURED Agenda, assuring the participants that the state legislature will give the Executive the needed support and necessary legislative backing, insisting that the house at the same time will not shy away from its oversight functions.
The retreat with the theme; ‘Enhancing Public Financial Management: Strengthening capacity to allocate scarce resources effectively,’ was with determination to advancing Governor Diri’s A.S.S.U.R.E.D Agenda, focusing on agriculture, sports, security, urban renewal, robust healthcare, energy, and diversified education and addressing contemporary governance challenges, tackling emerging issues impeding Bayelsa State’s growth.
While urging participants to translate knowledge gained into impactful legislation, driving Bayelsa’s growth and prosperity, Ingobere encouraged the Assembly members to continue sponsoring and supporting bills, motions, and oversight functions, overcoming challenges with resilience to make effective representation and positively impact constituents and Bayelsa State.
The speaker expressed heartfelt gratitude to participants for their significant contributions to the retreat’s success.
He also used the opportunity to thank Governor Douye Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, facilitators, the organizer, Dr. John Mutu, and the Africa Parliamentary Resource Center.
Rt. Hon. Ingobere also commended the government and people of Delta State for their hospitality and good governance, and used the opportunity to attend the 2025 budget presentation by the Delta State governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, at the Delta State House of Assembly as part of their earlier visit to the governor during the training retreat sessions.
The retreat had in attendance the twenty four members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr Felix Asingbi; the permanent secretary Ministry of Budget & Economic Planning.