GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa, of Delta State has stressed the need for the legislature to cooperate with the executive arm of government always in carrying out their oversight functions in order for the growth of democracy.
According to him, strengthening the legislature is also vital for the growth of democracy.
Speaking when he received the National Assembly Joint Committee on Works, led by Senator Kabiru Gaya, in Asaba on Monday, Okowa commended the committee for its oversight on the second Niger bridge, stating that “the bridge will reduce the traffic gridlock in the area and encourage the private sector to partner with government on projects.”
Other members of the Committee included Senators Clifford Ordia (Vice chairman); Bukar Ibrahim, Biodun Olajumoke; Barnabas Gemade; Mao Ohabunwa; Abdullahi Danbaba; Ben Bruce and Honourable Solomon Maren, Honourable Sani Abdu.
Decrying the havoc being caused by articulated vehicles on highways, Okowa called for the regulation of the movement of heavyduty vehicles in the country.
“There is the need to have a policy direction in which heavy duty trucks will not be allowed to ply designated roads; a lot of roads have been destroyed by these trucks, especially those above 30 tonnes, as they ply roads not originally designed to carry their weight. Some federal and state roads have failed because of this, we need to designated appropriate roads for them to ply as is done in other clime,” he said.
Earlier, the committee chairman, informed Governor Okowa that they were in Asaba to supervise the progress of work on the second Niger bridge linking Delta and other South East states.”
While commending the governor for his infrastructural development projects and that the quality of state representation in the National Assembly, Gaya said the bridge was a Public –Private project and government had earmarked funds to meet its part of the counterpart funding.