Davidson Ogbebor

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has signed into law the Edo State House of Assembly Funds Management Bill 2023 and the State Judiciary Financial Autonomy 2023 Amendment Bill.

The Governor signed the two pieces of legislation on Monday at the Government House, Benin City, while receiving the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Prince Yekini Idiaye.

Okpebholo commended the lawmakers for the swift passage of the bills, describing the development as a significant step towards resolving concerns surrounding the management of public funds and reinforcing the distinct constitutional responsibilities of the three arms of government.

“I am indeed delighted because this has become like a controversial law, I must confess to you,” the Governor said.

He stressed that the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary have clearly defined constitutional mandates which must be respected to ensure effective governance.

According to him, while the Executive is responsible for administration and implementation of government policies, the Legislature is vested with the responsibility of making laws and exercising oversight, while the Judiciary interprets the law and administers justice.

“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,” he said.

The Governor expressed concern over the management of funds earmarked for capital projects, noting that such projects remained critical to delivering tangible development and improving the quality of life of Edo residents.

He commended the lawmakers for what he described as their commitment to protecting the interests of the people and ensuring that public resources were deployed for the development of the state.

Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Prince Yekini Idiaye, clarified that the new legislation did not abolish the financial autonomy of either the legislature or the judiciary.

Idiaye explained that recurrent expenditures, including workers’ salaries and other statutory obligations, would continue to be funded through the existing arrangements, while the amendment primarily addressed the management of capital expenditure.

“It is the capital part of the funds that has issues. It was badly abused,” the Speaker said.

He explained that under the new arrangement, the Executive would manage the capital component through the appropriation process, while the Assembly and Judiciary would submit proposals for capital projects for consideration and approval.

Idiaye assured stakeholders, including workers and organised labour, that the financial autonomy of the affected institutions remained intact.

“The autonomy is still in place, there is no fear on any side, and the unions should not have any fear,” he said.

The Speaker further stressed that workers’ salaries and recurrent expenditures 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,” he added.

The signing of the bills marks another legislative step by the Okpebholo administration towards strengthening fiscal discipline, improving accountability in the management of public funds and ensuring that budgetary resources are channelled towards projects and programmes with direct impact on the people of Edo State.

The press release was signed and made available by
Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Edo State Government