By Ivy Adodo-Ebojele
The Edo State House of Assembly has passed two significant bills aimed at strengthening governance, environmental management, and protection of public assets across the state.
The first, titled “A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Protection of Government Property, Establish the Edo State Property Protection Committee, and for Other Matters Connected Therewith,” was passed following a detailed clause-by-clause consideration at the Committee of the Whole.
The second, “A Bill for a Law to Repeal the Edo State Sanitation and Pollution Management Law 2023 and to Enact a Law to Provide for Sanitation, Pollution, and Waste Management in Edo State, and for Connected Purposes,” also scaled through after extensive deliberations.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, directed the Clerk, Alhaji Yahaya Audu Omogbai, to prepare clean copies of both bills for onward transmission to the Executive Governor of Edo State, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, for assent.
In another development, the House confirmed members of the Edo State Judicial Service Commission after a rigorous screening by the Committee on Rules, Business, and Government House.
Those confirmed include Chief Barr. Felix Imoisili, Prof. David Osarumwense Usifo, and Barr. Martins Ighekpe. The Speaker directed the Clerk to forward the clearance documents to the appropriate authorities.
Earlier at plenary, Speaker Agbebaku expressed deep concern over an alleged invasion of Okpuje Community in Ward 8, Owan West Local Government Area, by men of the Nigerian Army and the NDLEA. The invasion reportedly led to multiple injuries and the death of one resident.
Describing the incident as “unacceptable and deeply painful,” the Speaker called on the Commissioner of Police to launch a thorough investigation into the matter. He also announced plans to brief Governor Okpebholo and set up a House committee to visit victims in the hospital and assist with their medical expenses.
Meanwhile, Rt. Hon. Agbebaku cautioned presenters of the popular ITV/Radio programme “Man Around Town” to avoid politicizing issues concerning the 8th Assembly.
While acknowledging the media’s vital role in promoting accountability, he urged the programme’s hosts to engage more constructively and refrain from using derogatory language or personal attacks.
He further appealed to the Managing Director of ITV/Radio, Engr. Elvis Obaseki, to call the presenters to order, emphasizing that mutual respect between the media and public institutions fosters better governance and public trust.
The House later adjourned sitting to November 17, 2025, following a motion moved by Hon. Ojie Eugene Inegbeboh (Igueben Constituency) and seconded by Hon. Waziri Oshioma (Etsako Central Constituency).