By Stephen Simon
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has assented to the amended Edo State House of Assembly Funds Management and Judiciary Autonomy Bills, reassuring public sector workers and stakeholders that the amendments preserve the financial independence of both arms of government.
The signing ceremony took place at Government House in Benin City during a visit by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Prince Yekini Idiaye.
The newly signed legislations adjust the management framework surrounding capital expenditure, addressing past operational vulnerabilities while leaving recurrent expenditures and staff salaries unaffected.
Governor Okpebholo affirmed that the executive, legislative, and judicial branches must operate strictly within their constitutional mandates to preserve governance harmony.
“The executive remains tasked with administration and implementation, the legislature makes laws and conducts oversight, and the judiciary interprets the law and dispenses justice,” the Governor noted, commending lawmakers for acting swiftly to protect public funds.
Clarifying misconceptions surrounding the amendment, Speaker Idiaye explained that statutory allocations for recurrent spending will continue to flow directly to the legislature and the judiciary.
“The autonomy remains fully in place,” Idiaye stated. “The amendment specifically addresses the management of capital funds to curb historic abuses. Under the new arrangement, both the Assembly and the Judiciary will submit their capital project proposals to the executive for statutory inclusion in the state budget.”
