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Stakeholders have said Nigeria needs a legislative culture where we don’t just ask whether a law was passed, but rather whether the law is working for those on the streets.

The Country Director of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, WFD, Adebowale Olorunmola, stated this on Thursday in Asaba during the official launch of the Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) Department of the Delta State House of Assembly.

While noting that Delta State is now positioned to lead that charge in the ongoing institutional strengthening of legislative processes, he said the establishment of the PLS Department is a significant step in ensuring that laws enacted by the House achieve their intended objectives for the people of Delta State.

“We must be clear: training is the foundation, but implementation is the building. The real test of this Unit’s success will not be the knowledge and skills gained, but the impact felt by the citizens of Delta State. We must move from the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of PLS to ‘doing PLS,’” he said.

While urging the Conference of Speakers in Nigeria (CSN) to ensure that PLS becomes institutionalized in the remaining 34 State Houses of Assembly across the federation, he particularly appealed to the Chairman of the CSN, Hon. Dennis Guwor, Speaker of the DSHA, to use his influential office to institutionalize it.

“Nigeria needs a legislative culture where we don’t just ask, ‘Did we pass the law?’ but rather, ‘Is the law working for the person on the street?’”

“Laws are not museum pieces meant to sit on shelves; they are living instruments. By budgeting for scrutiny, you ensure that the laws you pass are actually delivering the social and economic dividends promised to the people.”

The Speaker, Hon. Guwor, said it was a day that reflected a collective commitment to strengthening democratic governance, improving legislative effectiveness, and ensuring that the laws made truly serve the people of Delta State.

Represented by the Majority Leader of the DSHA, Engr. Emeja Nwaobi, he launched the unit at the Assembly and reaffirmed their resolve to position the Delta Assembly as a forward-looking legislature aligned with global best practices.

“The output of the Framework, which we are launching today, will enable this House to systematically review existing laws after passage, assess their impact, identify gaps, and, where necessary, recommend amendments. This will ensure that our legislation remains relevant, efficient, and people-centered.

“It is worthy to note that post-legislative scrutiny is a critical component of modern legislative practice, highlighting that lawmaking is only one aspect of our constitutional responsibility.

“Equally important is ensuring that those laws are effectively implemented, achieving their intended objectives, and responding to the evolving needs of our people.

“Through the establishment of the PLS Department, the Delta State House of Assembly is taking a bold step toward enhancing legislative oversight, promoting evidence-based lawmaking; strengthening accountability in governance, and deepening public trust in democratic institutions.

“As representatives of the people, we must constantly ask ourselves: Are the laws we pass working? Are they delivering measurable benefits? Are they addressing the real challenges faced by our constituents? The Post-Legislative Scrutiny Department provides us with the institutional mechanism to answer these questions responsibly and objectively.”

Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, said he was glad that the House has progressed from validating the PLS project to endorsing it.

Represented by Mrs. Abidemi Ekpemina, Director of Legal Drafting at the Ministry of Justice, she said the endorsement gave birth to today’s programme of launching the PLS Unit for the DSHA and Ministry of Justice.

While reiterating the commitment of the Delta State Ministry of Justice to join hands with the DSHA in this progressive stride as a key institutional partner and the primary drafting authority in the State to ensure that the PLS Unit of the DSHA achieves its purpose, he said the ministry was always ready and willing to provide all necessary technical support for the success of this very important project.

“With all our hands on deck, I have no doubt in my mind that this is achievable,” he assured.

The PLS Framework was thoroughly revised by an ad hoc committee of the House, ably chaired by the Leader of the House. The revised PLS Framework was adopted by the House on 26th November 2025 as a working document of the House.

Stakeholders urge Nigeria to move beyond lawmaking to effective law enforcement