The Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Housing, Women Affairs and Community Development, Hon Jude Ogbimi has assured of sustained partnership between the committee, and agencies under the ministry.
The chairman, who is the House member representing Isoko North Constituency in the state Assembly gave the assurance when he led members of the committee on familiarization visits to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development, and Delta Development Property Agency, DDPA.
Hon Ogbimi said the synergy between the executive and the legislative arms of the state government is commendable, adding that the cordial relationship has promoted peace, economic and infrastructural development in Delta State.
He noted that the familiarization visit was in line with his committee’s desire to enhance the harmony with the legislature and the executive, even as he called for the understanding and cooperation of all stakeholders.
He said the committee is determined to do its constitutional mandates to support the MDAs in budgeting, oversight and other relevant functions that would promote good governance in the state.
Hon Ogbimi who was recently assigned the chairmanship of the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs and Community Development, explained that all critical stakeholders must play their respective roles in effective implementation of government policies and programmes.
At the headquarters of DDPA, Asaba, the lawmakers commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for erecting a magnificent edifice to house the secretariat and with conducive ambience for civil servants.
He urged the agency to be accountable and seek better ways of partnering with private investors for mass housing development in the state, adding that government resources is constrained by several competing needs.
The General Manager DDPA, Mr Charles Esiovwa commended the lawmakers for the visit which he said, has created opportunity to seek more support from the state legislature in addressing funding and other challenges facing the agency, including land encroachment.
He congratulated Hon Ogbimi on his elevation as the chairman of the committee adding that with better funding, the agency would provide more housing solutions to Deltans.
The committee chairman and his entourage were received at the headquarters of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development by the commissioner, Mrs Flora Alanta.
Hon Ogbimi informed the agency of the state Assembly commitment to supporting programmes geared towards youth and women empowerment.
He urged them to always bring to the attention of the committee, areas of needs, and stated that members of the committee would offer assistance when necessary in addressing any challenges faced by the ministry.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Community Development, Mrs Flora Alanta said the ministry is saddled with many responsibilities, including support for physically challenged persons, creche development, widows, orphanage, people living with leprosy and empowerment of unskilled and skilled persons.
She thanked the committee for the visit and solicited for support in moving the activities of the ministry forward.