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From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, yesterday, signed the Edo House of Assembly Funds Management Bill 2023 and the State Judiciary Financial Autonomy 2023 Amendment Bill into law.
The governor assented to the bills at the Government House in Benin City during a meeting with the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Prince Yekini Idiaye.
Okpebholo commended the lawmakers for the swift passage of the legislation, expressing satisfaction that the issues surrounding the financial autonomy of the Assembly and judiciary had been resolved.
“I am indeed delighted because this has become like a controversial law, I must confess to you,” Okpebholo said.
He said the three arms of government, the executive, legislature and judiciary had distinct responsibilities and should operate within their constitutional mandates.
According to him, the executive is responsible for administration and implementation, while the legislature makes laws and performs oversight functions and the judiciary interprets laws and punishes offenders.
“For me, deviating from these is totally out of the field of play, changing the goal post. I saw danger in it and the way things were going,” the governor said.
Okpebholo said he was concerned that funds meant for capital projects were no longer reaching the people, adding that such projects were the most visible way government could improve the lives of residents.
He lauded the lawmakers for what he described as standing by the people, saying their action demonstrated their commitment to the development of Edo State.
Earlier, Idiaye said the legislation did not remove the financial autonomy of the House of Assembly or the judiciary.
He explained that recurrent expenditure would continue to go to the Assembly and judiciary, while the amendment addressed the management of capital funds.
“It is the capital part of the funds that has issues. It was badly abused,” the speaker said.
Idiaye said the governor’s position was aimed at preventing further abuse of capital funds by ensuring that the executive handles the capital component through the appropriation process.
He said the Assembly and judiciary would submit proposals to the executive for approval before accessing funds for capital projects.
“The autonomy is still in place, there is no fear on any side, and the unions should not have any fear,” Idiaye said, adding that workers’ salaries were not affected by the amendment.
“I believe they have not been properly briefed, but the autonomy is still in order and the workers’ salaries are not touched,” Idiaye said.
