Delta Speaker Kickstarts Finance Retreat Ahead of 2026 Budget

Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, on Thursday declared open a 3-day retreat for Members and Staff of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriations, charging them to deepen their legislative capacity in handling the appropriation process.

The retreat, held 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 led by the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon (Mrs) Marylyn Okowa-Daramola.

Declaring the event open, Speaker Guwor described the retreat as both timely and significant, stressing that it comes ahead of the presentation of the 2026 budget estimates by Governor Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.

According to him, the appropriation process is central to legislative engagement in governance. He noted that the “power of the purse” remains one of the legislature’s 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, therefore, 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 members, the Speaker commended the Africa Parliamentary Resource Center (APRC) for facilitating the retreat and supporting legislative institutions nationwide. He also praised lead facilitator Dr John Mutu, alongside Prof. Uzochukwu Amakom and Dr. Innocent Mebiri.

Guwor emphasized that the retreat provides a platform for participants to re-examine appropriation practices, identify gaps, learn from comparative experiences, and propose practical recommendations to enhance legislative oversight of public finances.

He urged participants to approach the sessions with an open mind, adding:

“The ultimate goal of this exercise is to strengthen the competence of the Committee and build the Assembly’s overall capacity to ensure prudent allocation and effective utilization of public resources for the development of Delta State.”

In her welcome address, Committee Chairman Hon Marylyn Okowa-Daramola said the retreat is vital to improving the budgetary processes of the Assembly. She thanked the Speaker for approving the retreat, noting that it will prepare the Committee ahead of the next budget season.

“It is my desire to make the Delta State Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriations a model for legislative excellence, as it is a bridge between government and the people,” she added.

Lead facilitator Dr John Mutu applauded Speaker Guwor’s efforts in championing legislative capacity at both state and national levels. He also called for the digitalization of committee activities to enhance its operations.

The retreat will cover key topics such as:

• Reflections on the mandate and current practices of the House
• Overview of the budget preparation process, challenges, and committee role
• Review of 2024 and 2025 half-year budgets
• Simulation exercises on appropriation and oversight
• Tools, templates, and reporting guidelines for sub-committees
• Budget financing and implications for the M.O.R.E Agenda