A draft framework for the establishment of a Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) Unit in the Delta State House of Assembly has been formally presented to members of the state legislature.
The presentation marked the conclusion of a three-day capacity-building workshop organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) for members of the Delta State Assembly, parliamentary staff, officials of the Ministry of Justice, and representatives of civil society organizations.
According to WFD, the training aimed to produce a validated framework that would guide the formal creation and effective operation of the PLS Unit within the State Assembly, a mechanism designed to monitor and evaluate the implementation and real-world impact of laws passed by the legislature.
Among those in attendance were the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo.
Other principal officers and lawmakers, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, the Clerk of the Assembly, Oto Aghoghopia, Esq., senior officials from the Ministry of Justice, and representatives of civil society groups.
In his remarks, Speaker Guwor reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to deepening accountability and ensuring that enacted laws translate into tangible benefits for the people of Delta State.
He noted that the workshop provided valuable insights into how PLS can serve as a vital tool for tracking legislative implementation and outcomes.
“This is a key step toward institutionalizing Post-Legislative Scrutiny in our legislative system,” Guwor said.
“For us, this is about strengthening accountability, transparency, and good governance, ensuring that the laws we pass truly serve the people of Delta State in the best possible way.”
The Speaker encouraged participants to engage constructively in refining the draft framework to ensure that the PLS Unit, once established, becomes sustainable, functional, and impactful.
Also speaking, Attorney-General Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Omamuzo Erebe, SAN, described the initiative as a bold and commendable step toward effective governance.
“This initiative demonstrates a clear commitment to accountability. We must ensure that the laws we enact achieve the outcomes intended for our people.
The Ministry of Justice remains committed to partnering with the Assembly and the WFD to institutionalize PLS in Delta State,” he said.
In his address, Mr. Adebowale Olorunmola, Country Director of WFD, emphasized that Post-Legislative Scrutiny enables parliaments to go beyond lawmaking by assessing whether laws are being properly implemented and achieving their intended objectives.
He explained that the Delta State PLS programme includes a baseline assessment, capacity-building interventions, and the piloting of a dedicated PLS Unit, which will also strengthen collaboration between the legislature and the executive to enhance policy outcomes and citizen welfare.
The final day of the workshop featured a detailed review of the Draft Framework for the PLS Unit, covering its objectives, functions, operational structure, and organogram.
Participants contributed robust perspectives on embedding PLS into the Assembly’s legislative culture to promote transparency and effectiveness in governance
