A draft framework for the establishment of a Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) Unit in the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) has been formally presented to members of the legislature.
The presentation marked the climax of a three-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) for members of the Delta State Assembly, parliamentary staff, officials of the Ministry of Justice, and representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
According to WFD, the training aimed to produce a validated framework to guide the formal creation and operationalization of the Post-Legislative Scrutiny Unit within the Assembly.
The event was attended by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dennis Guwor; Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo; Principal Officers and other lawmakers; the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole (SAN); the Clerk of the Assembly, Oto Aghoghopia (Esq); senior officials of the Ministry of Justice; and representatives of civil society.
In his remarks, Speaker Dennis Guwor reaffirmed the commitment of the Delta State Legislature to deepening accountability, transparency, and good governance, stressing that post-legislative scrutiny would ensure laws passed by the Assembly deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
“This is a key step toward institutionalising Post-Legislative Scrutiny in our legislative system.
”For us, this is about ensuring that the laws we pass truly serve the people of Delta State in the best possible way,” the Speaker stated.
He explained that the first two days of the workshop focused on sessions for staff and lawmakers respectively, while the final day was dedicated to the review and validation of the draft framework for the PLS Unit.
The Speaker urged participants to engage constructively in refining the framework to guarantee a sustainable and impactful unit that can track the implementation and effectiveness of laws.
Also speaking, Attorney-General Ekemejero Ohwovoriole (SAN), represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Omamuzo Erebe (SAN), described the initiative as bold and commendable, adding that it underscores the state’s commitment to accountability and good governance.
“This initiative demonstrates a clear commitment to accountability and effective governance.
‘:We must ensure that the laws we enact achieve the results we intend for our people. The Ministry of Justice remains committed to supporting this process,” he said.
In his presentation, the Country Director of WFD, Mr. Adebowale Olorunmola, highlighted the importance of post-legislative scrutiny as a mechanism for assessing whether laws are being effectively implemented and achieving their intended goals.
He noted that the Delta State PLS programme encompasses a baseline assessment, targeted capacity-building, and the piloting of a dedicated PLS Unit, which will strengthen collaboration between the legislature and the executive for improved policy outcomes and citizens’ welfare.
The final day of the workshop featured a detailed review of the Draft PLS Framework, covering its objectives, functions, operational structure, and organogram.
Participants shared practical perspectives on how to embed PLS into the Assembly’s legislative culture, setting the stage for what many described as a transformative step in legislative accountability in Delta State.
