By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
A Bill for a law to rename the Delta State Polytechnic, Burutu, in Burutu local government area of the state, Thursday, gained accelerated legislative approval on the floor of the Delta House of Assembly.
The House at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, took the first, second and third reading of the Bill and passed, after a robust debate on its merits by the Lawmakers led by the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Festus Okoh.
With the passage of the bill, and when assented by the Governor, the Institution has been renamed; “Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, Burutu.
The bill was Wednesday forwarded to the State Assembly by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for consideration and possible approval.
After the first reading of the bill at Thursday’s session of the Assembly, the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, called for suspension of some relevant sections of the House rules to enable the House proceed with accelerated legislative processing of the proposed law.
The motions as moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Festus Okoh, who represents Ika South Constituency in the House, were unanimously adopted.
Leading debate on the import of the bill, the Deputy Majority Leader, said the bill was a one line amendment to change the nomenclature in the name of the Polytechnic.
While describing the development as timely and harmless, Okoh emphasized that the amendment only seeks to add Maritime to the existing name of the Polytechnic.
The Lawmaker further explained that government intention was in accordance with the yearnings and aspirations of stakeholders and commended the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, for listening to the voice of the people.
He expressed optimism that the inclusion of Maritime in the name of the Polytechnic would enable it attain its professional status.
“The insertion of “Maritime” in the name of the Polytechnic was a deliberate response to yearnings and aspirations of stakeholders in the benefitting community. The inclusion of the name is devoid of any legal or financial implications.
“I therefore, commend the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff F. O. Oborevwori for responding to the requests of the people. The Governor has by this, again, proven that he is a listening Governor”, Okoh stated.
The bill also gained overwhelming positive response from the other lawmakers, including Hon Oboro Preyor, Bomadi, Pereotu Oloye, Burutu 2, Charles Emetulu, Ndokwa West, Ferguson Onwo, Isoko South and Ebitomo Anthony Alapala, Burutu 1 constituency.
The Lawmaker highlighted the importance and several merits of the bill which seeks to change the nomenclature to insert the word Maritime in line with the original intent in the establishment of the Polytechnic as a specialized institution.
Motion for the third reading and subsequent passage of the bill was moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Festus Okoh and adopted by the House following a voice vote called by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor.
Commending the lawmakers for their diligence in the passage of the bill, the Speaker, said that with the passage of the bill the institution’s nomenclature has changed to include Maritime in its initial name.
Guwor emphasized that the State Legislature will continue to work closely with other arms of government at ensuring peace, good governance and development in all parts of the state.