The Delta State House of Assembly has announced plans to institutionalise Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) as a permanent feature of its lawmaking and oversight processes, a move aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and evidence-based governance across the state.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) on Thursday in Asaba, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, said the 8th Assembly is determined to ensure that laws passed by the legislature deliver measurable results for citizens.
He described PLS as “a subject that lies at the heart of democratic governance and effective lawmaking,” commending WFD for partnering with the Assembly to promote institutional reform and legislative efficiency.
“Our constitutional duty does not end with the passage of a bill,” Guwor said. “We must ensure that the laws we enact serve the people’s interests, remain relevant in a changing society, and are faithfully implemented by the executive arm of government.”
The Speaker noted that while the Assembly had enacted several progressive laws in sectors such as health, education, and youth empowerment, the absence of a structured review mechanism had made it difficult to assess their impact.
“Establishing a culture of Post-Legislative Scrutiny will enhance the quality of our lawmaking, promote evidence-based policymaking, and deepen citizens’ trust in the legislature. This workshop is both timely and necessary,” he added.
Guwor revealed that the Delta Assembly will become the second legislature in Nigeria and the first in the South-South region to formally integrate PLS into its oversight framework. He pledged that the House would “strive to become a leading example of how subnational legislatures can innovate to serve their people better.”
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“Effective laws are not those that merely exist on paper but those that make a measurable difference in people’s lives,” the Speaker emphasised. “Post-Legislative Scrutiny ensures that the promises we make through legislation are translated into tangible outcomes for the people we represent.”
In his remarks, WFD Country Director, Mr. Adeboeale Olorunmola, applauded the Delta Assembly for taking a “bold and progressive” step, saying it demonstrates the legislature’s commitment to responsive and accountable governance.
“Our partnership with the Delta State House of Assembly builds on the successes recorded in Oyo State and marks another milestone in strengthening legislative accountability in Nigeria,” Olorunmola said.
He reaffirmed WFD’s readiness to provide technical support, training, and resources for the successful implementation of the PLS framework, which he said would “bridge the gap between lawmaking and public impact.”
A similar training session was earlier held for senior and middle management staff of the Assembly, while validation of the PLS framework is scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025.
