Recently, the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) recorded another legislative milestone as it became the first State House of Assembly in the South-South region to institutionalize Post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) unit in the State Assembly.
Interestingly too, the State legislature ranks second among the State Houses of Assembly in the country to have achieved this feat, coming behind Oyo State House of Assembly which has taken the lead.
For the records, Post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) is the process of reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of laws after they have been enacted. It helps identify areas for improvement, assess the impact of legislation, and inform future policy-making. PLS can involve parliamentary committees, research, and stakeholder engagement to determine whether laws are achieving their intended goals.
This process promotes accountability, transparency, and evidence-based governance.
Post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) is essential for ensuring that laws are effective and responsive to societal needs.
PLS can be conducted through various methods, including parliamentary reviews, research studies, and stakeholder consultations. By examining the effectiveness of laws, PLS contributes to better governance and more responsive legislation.
Given the import of PLS in the current democratic setting, the Delta State House of Assembly, recently took the bold initiative to ensure that it is institutionalized in the State.
At a three-day sensitisation workshop held in Asaba,the State capital on the Institutionalization of PLS in the State, the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor says the State legislature is taking further step in ensuring that Deltans get the required benefits of laws that are made in the State.
This, he said, would become readily achievable through the on-going institutionalization of Post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) unit in the State Assembly.
Rt. Hon. Guwor who said this at the day three of the legislative workshop on PLS organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), expressed optimism that when fully operationalized, the PLS unit would help in ensuring that laws that are made in the State, do not just stop at passage but would be followed through, assessed, and improved upon.
He said, “This is a key step toward institutionalizing PLS in our system, that is, ensuring that our laws do not just stop at passage but are followed through, assessed, and improved where necessary.
“For us, this is about deepening accountability, transparency, and good governance. It is about making sure our laws truly serve the people of Delta State in the best possible way.
Speaking further, Guwor said, “the Delta State House of Assembly is poised to join this league and to become the second in the country and the first Legislature in the South-South region. We will not stop merely as number two in the country but will strive to become a leading example of how subnational legislatures can innovate to serve their people better.
“As a speaker, I wish to affirm the commitment of the 8th Delta State House of Assembly to institutionalizing Post Legislative Scrutiny as a key component of our legislative processes.
“We are determined to collaborate with WFD to: Develop a clear framework for PLS, including rules, timelines, and reporting mechanisms; Build capacity of the staff to undertake evidence-based scrutiny; Collaborate with civil society, academia, and the media to ensure openness and inclusiveness; and Work closely with the Executive to ensure recommendations from PLS are implemented effectively.
“We will also explore how our Special and Standing Committees can integrate PLS into their regular functions
“’So, as we go through the framework, I encourage everyone to be open, practical, and constructive. Let us draw from our collective experience and make sure what we adopt today sets a strong foundation for the PLS Unit” Guwor maintained.
Earlier, the country Director of Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Mr. Adeboeale Olorunmola commended Delta State for the initiative saying that it is the first in the whole of South-South to adopt the initiative and, second in the country.
According to Olorunmola, the initiative seeks to strengthen the Assembly’s capacity to review and assess the effectiveness of laws, policies, and their impact on citizens.
The initiative, titled “Enhancing the Impact of Sub-National Assemblies through Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS)” according to Olorunmola, was sequel to the successful establishment of Nigeria’s first dedicated PLS Unit at the Oyo State House of Assembly (OYHA), a pioneering project that has since become a model for institutionalising PLS across the country’s legislative framework.
PLS, he pointed out is an essential democratic mechanism for assessing the implementation and impact of laws. By embedding it into the legislative process, WFD aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust in governance.
Speaking on the new phase of the initiative, Mr. Olorunmola, said, “Our work in Delta State represents another important milestone in deepening democratic accountability at the sub-national level.
“By equipping lawmakers and staff with the skills to conduct Post-Legislative Scrutiny, we are helping to ensure that laws are not just passed, but that they deliver real results for citizens.
“The project’s objectives include assessing current knowledge of PLS among lawmakers and staff of the DSHA and the State Ministry of Justice, organising tailored training sessions, and piloting the creation of a dedicated PLS Unit. The initiative also aims to build synergy between the legislature and the executive to ensure more coordinated and impactful law implementation.”, Mr. Olorunmola added.
On his part, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole commended Westminster Foundation for Democracy for partnering the State House of Assembly in ensuring that PLS is birthed in the State.
According to him, “It is axiomatic that the real measure of a law’s success is not just that it has been enacted, but whether it actually works, and whether it achieves the purpose for which it was made
“This is where PLS actually becomes vital as it allows us to pause, look back and ask the simple but important question: How well are our laws performing in real life?
“ When a law is enacted, it should not remain a mere words on paper; it must be able to present a solution to the targeted problem” Ohwovoriole posited.
The event, our Correspondent reports, was attended by members of the State legislature, senior legal team from the State Ministry of Justice, as well as Civil Society groups.
