BENIN CITY — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has signed into law the Edo House of Assembly Funds Management Bill 2023 and the State Judiciary Financial Autonomy 2023 Amendment Bill.
The Governor signed the bills on Monday at the Government House, Benin City, while receiving the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Prince Yekini Idiaye.
Okpebholo commended the lawmakers for the swift passage of the legislation, describing the development as a significant step towards resolving concerns surrounding the management of funds for the legislature and judiciary.
The Governor stressed the need for the three arms of government to operate within their constitutional mandates, noting that the executive handles administration and implementation, the legislature makes laws and performs oversight, while the judiciary interprets the law and administers justice.
He said he was concerned about the abuse of funds meant for capital projects, stressing that such projects are among the most visible ways government can improve the lives of residents.
Okpebholo commended the lawmakers for what he described as standing by the people, saying their action demonstrated commitment to the development of Edo State.
Earlier, Speaker Idiaye clarified that the legislation did not remove the financial autonomy of the House of Assembly or the judiciary, explaining that recurrent expenditure, including workers’ salaries, remained unaffected.
He said the amendment mainly addressed the management of capital funds, which had been abused, adding that the Assembly and judiciary would submit proposals for capital projects to the executive for approval through the appropriation process.
Idiaye assured workers and unions that there was no cause for concern, stressing that the autonomy of the legislature and judiciary remained intact and that workers’ salaries were not affected by the amendment.
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