The Speaker House of Representative, Hon Aminu Tambuwal has said that no amount of blackmail or intimidation would prevent the House from going ahead with the Oil Subsidy report.

The Speaker who announced this while declaring open the Delta State House of Assembly Public Lecture to mark its first anniversary said those found wanting would be held accountable for their actions.

He assured Nigerian that irrespective of the present diversionary tactics of some people the house would stand firm and the report would be implemented.

Hon. Tambuwal said it was unfortunate that people would go at any length to make Nigerians loose confidence in the report, but gave the assurance that the house was irrevocably committed to the report.

The Speaker who used the occasion to call for working synergy between the legislature and executive said it was only through that process Nigerian would enjoy dividends of democracy.

He stressed the need for the three arms of government to be mutually complimentary and accord each other the required degree of respect to ensure that the welfare of citizens and their living standard form the nucleus of all policies and programmes.

Hon. Tambuwai however called on the legislature to exercise its function religiously especially as the legislature remained the trustee of the people.

He described the functions of the legislature as very sensitive in the sense that it touched the very fabric of the society and enjoined members to live above board, ensure that probity, transparency and accountability should remain their watch word at all times.

“I encourage the legislature to engage in public enlightenment programmes to sensitize the people of their roles and achievemenst in order to carry them along in governance. The three arms of government should complement each other to serve the people better.”

Speaking at the occasion, the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan stated that his administration was working harmoniously with the different arms of government to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

He explained that the major challenges of the state were security, human capital development and infrastructural development stressing that his administration has created a conducive environment to tackle the challenges.

Speaking further, he said that job creation was one of the programmes his administration was using to solve the challenges of kidnapping and other criminal issues facing the state adding that he was also building a state beyond oil to prepare for the raining day.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan observed that his administration cannot achieve its goals without the co-operation of the legislature and commended members of the assembly for their support.

“We cannot achieve our goal as a state without the legislature, that is why we take the development of our legislature in Delta state seriously. The legislature has been supportive to the state policies.

He continued “There has been co-operation between the government and legislature. Whatever decisions the legislature and executive take is for the benefit of all Deltans. I assure you that we will continue to work together.”

In his opening address, the host Speaker Hon. Victor Ochei said the Delta State House of Assembly was partnering with arms of government in order to move the state forward.

He thanked governor Uduaghan for his continuous support and interest shown in the affairs of the assembly and pledged the Assembly’s co-operation at all times.

He explained that the legislature and executives were agents of transformation and charged the two organs to avoid disunity that would endanger their progress.

“We must take advantage of our positions and be agents of change to serve the people better.”

The 1st lecture on the role of the legislature is an emerging democracy was delivered by Prof. Micheal Ikahriale, where he stated that the major function of the legislature was law making.

He explained that the legislature have a vital role to play in enhancing the nascent democracy in the country and charged legislators to live above board.

Professor Fidelis Odita who delivered the 2nd lecture on the role of legislature in a representative democracy explained that legislators should be mindful of their functions and be good representatives of the populace.

He noted that evidence have shown that corrupt practices existed among some legislators but called on them to ensure that they put their house in order to gain the confidence of those who elected them.