Delta Assembly Passes Film and Video Censor’s Board Bill, Adopts Fiscal Strategy Paper
By Augustine Akanigha
ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the Delta State Film and Video Censor’s Board Bill into law, marking a significant step towards regulating the entertainment industry in the state.
Once assented to by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the law will establish a board to oversee the activities of film and video productions, ensuring standardisation and promoting professionalism in the sector. The board will consist of a chairman and six members drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state, along with representatives from key ministries and agencies, including the Ministries of Information, Youth Development, Sports and Social Development, Justice, and Higher Education.
The motion for the bill’s passage was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by the Majority Whip, Hon. Odion Bernard.
In a related development, the Assembly also adopted the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriations on the Delta State Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) 2025-2027. The report, presented by the committee’s chairperson, Hon. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, outlined the framework for the state’s medium-term economic and fiscal planning.
Okowa-Daramola explained that the Fiscal Strategy Paper was prepared in line with constitutional and legal provisions, including Section 16 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Delta State Fiscal Responsibility Law of 2008 (as amended). The FSP, she said, comprises three critical components: the Economic and Fiscal Update (EFU), the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), and the Budget Policy Statement (BPS). These elements, she added, provide a credible foundation for resource allocation and fiscal discipline.
“The 2025-2027 FSP is a transparent planning tool that guides the annual budget process. It determines the resources available for funding government projects and programmes while maintaining fiscal discipline,” Okowa-Daramola said.
The committee recommended continued reforms in public finance management, particularly regarding the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). It also urged the state government to enhance revenue mobilisation, reduce recurrent expenditure, and maintain a 60-40 capital-to-recurrent expenditure ratio.
Additionally, the report emphasised the importance of maintaining a sustainable debt profile, ensuring alignment with the Federal Debt Management Office benchmarks. The committee also called for vigilance in monitoring macroeconomic changes at the federal level to maintain consistency with national and global economic trends.
The motion for the adoption of the committee’s recommendations was moved by Hon. Emeka Nwaobi and seconded by Hon. Collins Egbetamah, representing Udu Constituency.
The Delta State House of Assembly continues to prioritise legislative measures aimed at economic stability and the advancement of the state’s entertainment sector, reflecting its commitment to holistic development.
