Delta State Child Rights Amendment Bill, 2024.
Delta State Child Rights Amendment Bill, 2024.
Delta State Child Rights Amendment Bill, 2024.
By Bozimo Ebipame-ere Ophelia, Nassnews Correspondent, Delta State Assembly
A Bill aimed at amending the 2008 Child Rights Law to enhance legal protections for children in Delta State has successfully passed its second reading in the State House of Assembly. The amendment bill, sponsored by Hon. (Mrs.) Marylyn Okowa-Daramola, who represents Ika North East, seeks to strengthen the legal framework for child rights protection.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Guwor Emomotimi Dennis, highlighted that the proposed amendments are designed to improve the existing provisions of the 2008 law while introducing new clauses to facilitate better implementation and compliance. He emphasized that the amendments would make the law more effective and adaptable to current societal realities.
During her presentation, Hon. Okowa-Daramola stressed the necessity of the amendment, citing the need to address societal changes. “Change is a vital tool for growth,” she said, pointing out that the Principal Law, enacted 16 years ago, needs revisions to meet today’s challenges.
She further explained that several provisions of the current law are difficult to enforce due to modern-day realities. The proposed amendments would update 12 out of the 68 sections and 268 pages of the Principal Law to ensure the law remains relevant.
One notable revision is the transfer of responsibility for implementing the Child Rights Law from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, and Social Development. Okowa-Daramola believes this shift will streamline the implementation process and better align with present-day societal needs.
She expressed confidence that once passed and signed into law by Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the amendment would significantly improve child rights protections in the state. “The new law will not only simplify implementation but also ensure that its provisions are consistent with today’s rapidly evolving world,” she remarked.
Hon. Okowa-Daramola’s presentation received widespread support, with 28 lawmakers co-sponsoring the amendment bill. Among those supporting the bill were Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Akpowowo Arthur, Deputy Majority Leader Festus Okoh, Chief Whip Perkins Umukoro, and several others. They praised the timeliness and necessity of the proposed amendments in overcoming the challenges hindering the implementation of the 2008 law.
Speaker Guwor lauded the lawmakers for their comprehensive debate and referred the bill to the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, and Humanitarian Support Services for further legislative review. The committee is scheduled to submit its report on October 3, 2024.
Additionally, during the plenary session, the House screened and confirmed two nominees for appointment as Secretaries to Local Government Councils. Mr. Aluge-Obia Kainji from Ika South LGA and Mr. John Ewenede from Ughelli South LGA were both confirmed. The Speaker congratulated the appointees and urged them to serve their councils with distinction.
The Speaker directed the nominees to submit their CVs to the Clerk’s office by September 16, ahead of their scheduled screening on September 17, 2024. He also informed the House about a letter from the Burutu Local Government Chairman requesting clearance for the council’s secretary nominee.
