By Francis Sadhere, Warri

The Speaker of the Delta  State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has said  that the legislature will continue to build on the existing cordial relationship between it and the Assembly Service Commission to defend its mandate for the benefit of the public.

Hon Oborevwori stated this on Tuesday when a delegation from the National Assembly Service Commission accompanied by the Chairman and members of the State House of Assembly Service Commission, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Assembly Complex.

He said there was need for the National Assembly Service Commission to collaborate with the State House of Assembly Commission in order to build synergy and give necessary support.

The Speaker noted that the Assembly Service Commission was saddled with the responsibility of staff welfare, training, promotion, discipline among others stressing that the House  will do everything possible   to support the Commission in order to succeed.

According to him,  the House would look into section 13  sub section one of the law establishing the House of Assembly Commission on the appointment of Clerk and Deputy Clerk as well as the issue of tenure for the Chairman and members of the commission.

The Speaker, commended the delegation from the NASS Commission for the visit saying it will further promote good working relationship.

Earlier, the  leader of the delegation from the NASS Commission, Dr. Paul Oweh   said the delegation was on a two day working visit to the State as part of its routine duties to Assembly Service Commissions in the South South geo-political zone.

He said the visit was also to promote good working relationship between the NASS Service Commission and State Houses of Assembly Service Commissions stressing Delta was one of the foremost states to establish an Assembly Commission.

Dr Oweh who is a Commissioner representing South South zone in the NASS Service Commission said the delegation observed that Section 13 subsection one of the law establishing the State House of Assembly Commission needed to be amended in order to remove the House leadership from appointing Clerk and Deputy Clerk.

He said the appointment of Clerk and Deputy Clerk ought to be saddled with the Assembly Service Commission in order to insulate it from political interference from such appointment.

Dr Oweh also harped on the need for tenure elongation of Chairman and members of the Assembly Service Commission   from four years to five years as is obtainable in the NASS and other State Houses of Assembly even as he stressed the need for the House to give due attention to capacity building.

The Chairman, Delta State Assembly Commission, Barr. Josephine Kachikwu thanked the Speaker for receiving the delegation despite the short notice and promised to work closely with leadership of the House.

The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Friday Osanebi and some principal officers of the House were present during the courtesy visit.