Okowa Signs Investment Development Bill Into Law

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Delta State Investment Development Agency bill 2016, and four others have been signed into Law by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

The bills were signed by the Governor on Tuesday, July 25, in the presence of some members of the Delta State House of Assembly.

The other four bills signed were Delta State Agency For The Control Of HIV/AIDS Bills 2016, Delta State College of Education Bill 2016, Delta State Agriculture And Rural Development Authority (Amendment Bill 2016) and Delta State Hotel Occupancy Restaurant and Department Stores Consumption Tax Bill 2017.

The Delta State Investment Development Agency Law 2016, according to the state government, was timely because of the urgent need to further attract investors; both local and international, for the overall development of the three senatorial districts in line with the SMART AGENDA of the Okowa administration.

By SMART AGENDA, it is meant; Strategic Wealth Creation Projects and Provision of Jobs for All Deltans; Meaningful Peace Building Platforms Aimed At Political/Social Stability; Agricultural Reforms And Accelerated Industralisation; Relevant Health and Education Policies and; Transformed Environment Through Urban Renewal.

A statement by the government noted that in the light of the above, the five laws, which are now operational in the state, were crafted along the vision of the present administration to deliver quality dividends of democracy and substantial prosperity to the good people of Delta State.

The laws will be available in hard copies for legal practitioners, law officers and members of the public.

The Governor, while appending his signature to the bills, commended Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Mr Sheriff Oborevwori and members of the House for the quality of job done which, according to him, would facilitate socioeconomic development of the state.

Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, described residents of the state as the major focus and priority of governance, saying this was why the five laws are in place to further justify the sincerity and strong determination of Mr Okowa to put proper legal and socioeconomic structures in place to facilitate the ongoing good governance initiatives as entrenched in the SMART AGENDA blueprints for the state.

Speaker of the House, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori, while addressing newsmen, stated that the five laws will to a large extent improve and encourage investment and capital in-flow to the state, improve revenue generation in the hospitality and tourism industry, improve control of sexually transmitted diseases and drastically reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS; enhance academic standards in Colleges of Education across the state as well as strengthen rural development and the Agricultural sector which are some of the key priorities of the Okowa administration.