There is no alternative to democracy as a form of government, and only through it can Africans find the needed space to contribute to the development of the continent, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has declared.

He made the declaration while declaring open the 65th Executive Committee Meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region in Asaba, capital of the state, yesterday.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Agbe Utuama SAN, the governor said: “I am certain that all of us share the understanding that through a democratic system of governance that our people can have the needed space to contribute their talent and creative to the development process. The unfettered freedom that democracy provides, gives room for unhindered harnessing of both individual and collective energies for sustainable development.”

While stating that Africa needs to focus attention on the task of making the 21st century an African century, Governor Uduaghan noted: “Africa’s over-all advancement and its recovery from centuries off slavery, imperialism, colonialism, apartheid and neo-colonialism would, among other things, be linked to its realisation of the goals of peace, security, democracy, unity and prosperity. To accomplish these goals, we need to develop human capital by empowering the people to release their immense energy, which the continent sorely needs to advance towards the realisation of the goal of emancipation of all Africans from the pangs of poverty, underdevelopment and global marginalisation.”

Uduaghan also called on all African Region parliamentarians to advocate the issue of climate change to ensuring that African people respond timely and in current manner to challenges of climate change. He said it is global knowledge that the consequences of global warming will be severe for developing countries because of the prevalence of poverty.

In a key-note address, the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, said the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is a voluntary forum where legislators from across Africa share ideas that strengthen legislative practices stressing that it also give members the opportunity of knowing and learning what is happening in other African Region and beyond.

The Speaker assured Deltans that the State House of Assembly has partnered with other member countries of the association and is now adequately positioned to meet the demands of making well focused, research and people-oriented laws that will impact positively on the people of the state.

Among the dignitaries present at the occasion were Hon. Anne Makind, President of CPA, African Region and Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania; Hon. Lindiwe Maseko, Chairperson, Executive Committee and Speaker of Gauteng Provincial Legislature, South Africa; Hon. Daniel Reyenieju, Vice Chairman, CPA (African Region) and Chairman House Committee on Inter-parliamentary Relations; Hon. Basil Ganagana, Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly; Hon. Justice Abiodun Smith, Chief judge, Delta State; Comrade Ovuozoure Macaulay, Secretary to Delta State Government; Dr. Festus Okunbor, Chief of Staff to Governor Uduaghan, among others.

•Photo shows Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) (middle) Speaker Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei (left) and Chairperson, Executive Committee and Speaker, Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Hon. Lindiwe Maseko during the 65th Executive Meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Region, held in Asaba.

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