Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has posited that separation of power, checks and balances goes a long way to ensure good governance in a presidential system of government.
Okowa made the submission in a speech he delivered at the 2023 Second Quarter meeting of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria at Asaba. According to him, the executive and legislative branches of government should have a trusting, mutual respecting relationship to foster development and the smooth running of affairs.
He said: “Each must realise that the principle of checks and balances as constitutionally provided for, is to prevent abuse of power, which, if allowed to fester, will ultimately circumvent the rights and will of the governed.
“It is exigent that both see themselves as complementary partners working towards the same goal, which is the development of the State for the greater good of all.
“Trouble looms when the executive arrogates to itself the power to do as it wills or the legislature takes undue advantage of its oversight function to twist the arms of the executive for selfish ends.
“Where the relationship is characterized by mutual distrust, suspicion, friction and conflict, it leads to crisis and failure of the government to deliver on its policies and programmes.
“However, where both arms see themselves as partners and understand the spirit and letter of the principles of the separation of powers, the inevitable outcome is effective policy formulation and implementation, which leads to excellent service delivery,”
He touched on the building of 799 road projects totaling 1,577.8 kilometers of roads and 908.8 kilometers of drainage channels. He explained that his administration encouraged rural-urban integration while guaranteeing that urban centers remained livable via expansion and renovation.
He added: “As a result of the Asaba Storm Water Drainage project, residents of Asaba and the capital territory are no longer apprehensive of the rains because the massive flooding that used to overwhelm the city has been substantially mitigated.
“The ultra-modern Central Secretariat Complex in Asaba, initiated by this administration, is almost completed. It is second only to the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, in size and layout.
“Undoubtedly, our massive investments in road and physical infrastructure have ushered in a period of boom for contractors, artisans, petty traders and suppliers in the construction and allied industries,” Okowa stated.
Source: Newzandar News
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