The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, on Thursday declared open a three-day retreat for members and staff of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriations, with a charge to deepen their legislative capacity in handling the appropriation process.
The retreat, holding at the State Assembly Complex in Asaba, is themed “An Overview of the Appropriation Process in Delta State House of Assembly: Practices, Issues and Recommendations.”
It is being led by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. (Mrs.) Marilyn Okowa-Daramola.
Declaring the retreat open, Speaker Guwor described the exercise as timely and significant, especially as it precedes the presentation of the 2026 budget estimates by the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
He emphasized that the appropriation process lies at the heart of legislative engagement in governance, noting that the legislature’s “power of the purse” remains one of its most critical constitutional responsibilities.
“As lawmakers, we must appreciate that every line in the budget is not just a figure but a statement of intent on how government resources should translate into the wellbeing of our people,” Guwor said.
“The Finance and Appropriations Committee has a crucial role in ensuring the passage of a realistic budget that balances revenue projections with expenditure profiles.”
Flanked by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowovwo, and other principal officers, the Speaker commended the Africa Parliamentary Resource Center (APRC) for facilitating the retreat and acknowledged its consistent support for strengthening legislative institutions across the country.
He also lauded the choice of the lead facilitator, Dr. John Mutu, Executive Director of APRC, alongside other resource persons, Prof. Uzochukwu Amakom and Dr. Innocent Mebiri.
According to Guwor, the retreat provides an opportunity for participants to review existing appropriation practices, identify gaps and bottlenecks, learn from comparative experiences, and propose practical recommendations to enhance legislative oversight of public finances.
He urged participants to approach the sessions with open minds, stressing that the ultimate goal is to strengthen the Assembly’s capacity to ensure prudent allocation and effective utilization of public resources.
In her welcome address, Hon. Okowa-Daramola highlighted the importance of the workshop, noting that it will enhance the committee’s role in improving budgetary processes.
She commended the Speaker for his timely approval of the retreat and expressed her desire to make the Finance and Appropriations Committee a model of legislative excellence, serving as a bridge between government and the people.
Lead facilitator Dr. John Mutu, in his remarks, paid tribute to the Speaker for championing legislative capacity building even at the national level.
He underscored the need for improved facilities, including digitalization of committee activities, to strengthen the Finance and Appropriations Committee’s efficiency.
Topics lined up for the three-day sessions include:
Reflections on the Mandate and Current Practices in the House
An Overview of the Budget Preparation Process: Challenges, Committee Roles, and Recommendations
A Review of the 2024 Budget and 2025 Half-Year Performance
Simulation Exercises on Appropriation Process and Committee Oversight
Reflections on Appropriation Tools, Templates, and Guidelines for Sub-Committees
Budget Financing: Committee Mandate, Oversight Agencies, and Implications for the M.O.R.E Agenda.
