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Tag: Lagos Assembly

  • Lagos Assembly confirms Odukale as LSSTF board chairman

    Lagos Assembly confirms Odukale as LSSTF board chairman

    Lagos state House of Assembly Tuesday confirmed Governor Ambode’s nominee for the position of the Chairman of the Board of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Mr Oye Hassan Odukale.

    In his response during the confirmation exercise, Mr. Odukale, said that he was surprised that he was nominated for the position by the Governor.

    Odukale, who is currently the Managing Director of Leadway Assurance Plc, said that his motive is to raise money for the fund through the private sector and that his company has contributed immensely to the fund in the past.

    According to him, the board of LSSTF has eight members, and the fund is meant to equip all security agencies such as the police, army and the Department of State Security Service (DSS).

    “There must be due process with verifiable estimate. We will raise money for the fund through the private sector and the equipment must be properly managed and we will cross-check with the users.

    “It is a volunteer work for me to raise money for the state through my network and those of others on the board. We need to win the trust of the people that are contributing to the fund and widen the net of the contribution,” he added.

  • Participatory democracy: Lagos Assembly as trailblazer

    Recently, the print and electronic media came out with advertisements on the first constituency stakeholders meeting of the 8th Lagos State House of Assembly, detailing vital information about the exercise, especially its intent and purpose.

    From Badagry to Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Epe, Somolu and the other local governments making up the state constituencies in Lagos State, the exercise took place simultaneously on November 10, undoubtedly is first of its kind in our legislative history in terms of content and style.

    It was designed by the Lagos Assembly to obtain the input of Lagosians on their desire in their areas.

    This no doubt is big plus for the Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa-led Lagos State of Assembly in view of its timeliness and alignment with the social contract principle more so, as the House of Assembly is constitutionally empowered to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the state.

    The strategic nature of the stakeholders meeting could be better understood within the wider context of the legislature’s other functions including representation, oversight, checks and balance on the executive and the judidiary and conducting investigation into matters which it has powers to make laws and more.

    The speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa was therefore on point when he told stakeholders at his constituency meeting in Agege that the event was in line with social contract which the House has with the people. His words: “We are collaborating with our constituencies to ensure that the impact of government is felt at all levels and to reinvigorate rapid socio – economic projects, control of traffic, implementation of traffic laws, security and maintenance of law and order.

    The spokesman of the House, Hon. Tunde Braimoh at his constituency meeting would equally observe that, “while it is correct that constituency input has always, been sought in formulating budgeting proposal every year, it is also correct that the scale and style on this exercise stand out as novel and new.”

    One of the biggest draw backs of our democracy is the alienation of the people from government, the sidelining of the people from making meaningful inputs into government programs and policies.

    Consequently, what we sometimes have are largely projects conceived without the voice of the people who are the reason for government. The end result is huge waste of taxpayers money as some of these projects do not suit the immediate needs of the people.

    The Lagos State House of Assembly must therefore be commended for according due recognition to their constituents through the stakeholders meeting. This no doubt is what participatory government is all about because all elected representatives must as a matter of routine report back to the people periodically to intimate them about their stewardship.

    That those who spoke across the 40 state constituencies included Obas, Chiefs, Community Development Associations (CDAs), youths, artisans, professional bodies, and various unions is highly commendable.

    Lagosians would also be glad that Speaker Obasa has assured that these inputs will form part of the 2016 budget which is very remarkable. If actualized, it means that Lagos State would have, through its lawmakers, come up with a truly “people’s budget” next year.

    By this giant stride, the Lagos state House of Assembly may have begun its journey towards fulfilling its vision “to be the leading light and pathfinder for Nigeria and African legislatures.”

    To realize this, it must continue its pursuit of excellence by ensuring it fulfills its promise of a people’s budget in 2016.

    It should also continually interface with the people periodically to perfect their position on issues, as it is better placed to do this than other arms of government. This would no doubt make the change mantra of the APC-dominated House come to fruition as the country is in dire need of true change.

    Other legislatures should also take a cue from the precedent set by the lawmakers of the “Centre of Excellence” which has opened a new vista in participatory democracy through the constituency stakeholders meeting by organizing similar programmes. And like the former chairman, Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Monday Ubani said during Hon. Tunde Braimoh’s meeting with his constituents, the Lagos Assembly has set a precedent for other legislatures with this novel idea.

    More so, aside interfacing with the people, across the length and breadth of the state, one of the unique things about the event was that it cut across every strata of the society which makes it inclusive.

    The assembly may have unknowingly assisted the executive by using the medium to collate issues very dear to the heart of the electorate for onward transmission to the executive for consideration and implementation.

    Also by holding the exercise simultaneously across the state, the lawmakers have saved the state huge resources which could have been wasted had the exercise been staggered at this time of falling oil prices.

    The Lagos State House of Assembly therefore deserves praises, while hoping it continues to strive to be the flagship of the legislature for the benefit of the people by rising up to its constitutional duties at all times

    • Chukwu, is chairman, Centre for Accountability and Good Governance (CAGG), Lagos
  • Lagos Assembly seeks N52b from Fed Govt

    Lagos Assembly seeks N52b from Fed Govt

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged the Federal Government to refund the N52billion the state spent on repairing federal roads in the state.

    Raising the issue under Matter of Urgent Public Importance yesterday, the Deputy Majority Leader, Olumuyiwa Jimoh, who congratulated the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, on his appointment, said it was necessary for the money to be refunded for some important projects.

    He added that the Federal Government should complete on-going projects in the state and pay attention to other projects.

    The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, said it was important to remind former Governor Fashola of the challenges facing the state.

    “He has also been in the forefront of the repair of federal roads in Lagos State and the agitation for refund of money expended on federal roads by the state.

    “We must write a letter to the minister to call his attention to the need to repair federal roads in the state. It is better to make this appeal to him before the work load becomes much,” he said.

    Yinka Ogundimu (Agege 2) said the issue could not be over-emphasised.

    He said this is a reminder the Federal Government that the state’s federal roads  should be fixed.

     

  • Protesters block Lagos Assembly over abnormal electricity tariff

    Protesters block Lagos Assembly over abnormal electricity tariff

    Scores of residents marched on the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday.

    They blocked the two entrances for hours.

    The protesters carried lanterns and placards to protest against the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC).

    Under the auspices of Youth Alliance for better Nigeria, they lamented that every month they pay huge electricity bills when they hardly ever get power supply.

    Some of the placards read: “Outrageous bill, oppressive conduct of staff”; “Fashola save Nigerians from darkness”; “Enough exploitation of 10 streets on a transformer” ; “We need prepaid metres”; “Frustration of government effort to provide employment by not improving the epileptic power supply”; “IKEDC should stop substandard prepaid metres “and “If you cannot serve us, you should not exploit us”.

    The protesters were angry that no lawmaker came to address them.

    They blocked the road leading to the Governor’s Office.

    The protesters lamented that some areas in Alimosho have not had power supply for months.

    Their leader, Moruf Adegoke Niniola, said this was not the first time of protesting against IKEDC.

    According to him, a delegation had met with the government, which set up a committee.

    He, however, said some top management staff of IKEDC frustrated the move for an amicable solution.

    “As I am talking to you, the committee is not sitting anymore.

    “The last sitting was on  October 2. Abule-Odu in Alimosho has not had power supply in more than three months.

    “The IKEDC supplied pre-paid metres to customers but they have not been working.

    “The company has resorted to coded billing system or what you call estimated billing,” he said.

    Addressing the protesters after yesterday’s sitting, the Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, who spoke on behalf of the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, told the protesters that the struggle was a genuine move to ameliorate the plight of Nigerians.

    Advising the protesters to make the fight a collective one, Agunbiade said: “The struggle is not meant for those who are here alone, it is a struggle for everybody.

    “I do not want you to isolate your struggle. The moment some people in the struggle negate the belief, you can’t achieve the purpose.”

     

     

     

  • Lagos Assembly approves 32 standing committees

    Lagos Assembly approves 32 standing committees

    The Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday constituted new standing committees, raising the number from 24 to 32.

    This was contained in a motion titled: “Amendment of the Standing Committees of the Lagos State House of Assembly”, presented yesterday by the Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade.

    The newly constituted committees are: Committees on Selection; Business, Rules and Standing Orders; Ethics, Protocol and Privilege; Public Accounts (State); Public Accounts (Local Government); Agriculture; House Services; Economic Planning and Budget; Education; Science and Technology; the Environment.

    Committees on Establishment, Training and Pension; Energy and Mineral Resources; Waterfront Infrastructure Development; Physical Planning and Urban Development; Transportation; Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives; Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation.

    Others are: Works and Infrastructure; Wealth Creation and Employment; Finance; Health; Home Affairs; Tourism, Arts and Culture; Youth and Social Development; Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC; Lands; Housing; Information and Strategy; Central Business Districts; Special Duties and Inter Governmental Relations; and Local Government Administration and Community Affairs.

     

  • Nonagenarian leads protest to Lagos Assembly

    •Wants LASG to return her schools

    A 91 year old woman Mrs Roseline Ololo, has cried out to the Lagos State House of Assembly to assist her in ensuring the return of her schools-Metropolitan College and Isolo Secondary School taken over by the military government in 1976 which led to her husband’s death.

    Mrs Ololo who led a protest to the Assembly on Thursday last week, was on the wheel chair with other youths and her lawyer chanting protest songs.

    ‘I am here for the government to return my schools to me. I want my school back which was seized. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has given order that they should return all private schools to the owners but they have not returned mine after several efforts.

    “We have been going up and down.  My husband died in the course of seeking the return of the schools we both struggled to establish.”

    Mrs. Ololo explained to newsmen that when the school was taken over by the military, she was not given any form of compensation.

    “They did not give me any money because they don’t even know where I was and they don’t know where we are. They have been telling us to come but nothing has been done,” she added.

    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions like: “It’s our right to own properties”, “Speaker, speak the truth;” “Laws are passed for the good of citizens;” “Justice for Mama Ololo;” “Hon. Speaker, please intervene;” “Stop this injustice” among others.

    In a letter presented to the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, the protesters urged the lawmakers to assist the old woman to get her properties back.

    “We have the instruction of our client to appeal to you to investigate the basis for the refusal, neglect or failure of the Lagos State government to return Metropolitan College and Isolo Secondary Schools to their original owner.

    “We have met with the executives and submitted series of letters but nothing has been done. We only need lawmakers to help us,” the statement read.

    The counsel to the old woman, Malcolm Omirhobo, added that the proprietor refused to receive the compensation the then military government offered for the affected schools.

    In his reaction, Mojeed Fatai representing Ibeju Lekki Constituency 1, who represented the Speaker, promised that the House would look into the matter.

    “We thank you for the peaceful demonstration and if there is need to call you, we will. I promise to deliver your message to Mr Speaker,” he said.

     

  • Lagos Assembly confirms two

    Lagos Assembly confirms two

    The Lagos House of Assembly yesterday confirmed the appointments of Abdullahi Kabir as the Executive Secretary of the State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC) and Fouad Oki as the Director-General of the State Safety Commission (LSSC).

    Before his appointment, Oki was Commissioner 1 in the Lagos State Civil Service Commission.

    Speaker Mudashiru Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Ganiyu Abiru, to convey the approval of the nominees to the governor.

    Obasa, who approved the appointments of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s nominees after voice votes said: “He (Kabir) should do all things that will bring water to all the people in Lagos State.”

    The Speaker also affirmed that Kabir “facilitated the tremendous support the All Progressives Congress (APC) received during the general elections.”

  • Nominees appear before Lagos Assembly

    Nominees appear before Lagos Assembly

    •Screening committee report yet to be debated

    Executive council nominees appeared before the Lagos State House of Assembly at plenary yesterday where they spoke on their background and experience.

    The House had set up a 15-man committee to screen the nominees after receiving a letter containing the list of the 36 nominees from Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The screening committee, headed by the Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Eshinlokun, was directed to screen the nominees between October 5 and October 9.

    All but one of the nominees appeared yesterday, the same day the committee submitted its report, which is yet to be debated by the House.

    The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, said the nominees were invited to speak to eliminate doubts and end speculations on the purpose of the committee.

    A nominee, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola praised the committee, but revealed that she broke down in tears during the screening because of some of the questions the members asked her.

    Another nominee, Agboola Dabiri said he was stretched to the limit by the committee, but that they were thorough.

    Recalling his experience, Dr. Akintola Benson explained that the committee followed due process, and that the questions moved from political to strategy and economics.

    The House adjourned till tomorrow.

     

  • Lagos Assembly investigates human rights abuse by military

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has commenced investigation into a case of alleged violation of human rights of residents of Majidun area of Ikorodu  by naval and military personnel drafted to curb illegal bunkering in the area .

    A 4-man ad hoc committee headed by the Chief Whip, Hon. Rotimi Abiru was set up to look into a petition titled ‘Gross violation of fundamental human rights’ from the residents of the community. The petition was jointly signed by Prince A.O Abori, Coordinator and Mr Dare Ayeni, Secretary.

    In the petition, the community accused the military personnel of incessant abuse , rape, physical and psychological torture of innocent residents among others  which prompted the need to seek  redress from the Assembly.

    According to them,  “over 200 navy and army personnel  of the Joint Military Task Force,(JTF) invaded our community with arms and ammunition to arrest illegal bunkers, but displaced our people from their homes. No fewer than 84 families were displaced by men of the force who illegally occupied their victims’ homes, churches and shops.

    “The military and naval officers have taken over our land, cordoned off the only major access road into Majidun thereby grounding all commercial activities to a halt. We can no longer use the waterways as all commercial activities usually done around the riverine area are grounded.”

    They further alleged that their women were  molested, citing the case of a 23 years old girl, who said she was raped by three officers  she promised to  name and identify as investigation continues.

    Other members of the ad-hoc committee are: Hon. Sola Giwa, Hon. Victor Akande and Hon. Famakinwa Adedayo.Lagos LG boss reverses retrenchment of workers

  • Lagos Assembly sets up screening committee

    •To submit report on Oct 13

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has constituted a committee to scrutinise  the list of commissioner-nominees of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode before presenting it to the House for screening.

    This would delay the  government’s plan to inaugurate the executive council on October 5.

    The House has adjoined till October 13, which means the committee cannot submit its report earlier than October13.

    The committee to be chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Eshilokun-Sanni Wasiu, has 14 other lawmakers as members.

    They are: Chief Whip Rotimi Abiru; Deputy Majority Leader Olumuyiwa Jimoh; Deputy Whip Omotayo Oduntan; Minority Leader Akeem Bello.

    Others are: Oluwasegun Akande; Folajinmi Mohammed; Dayo Fafunmi; Oladele Adekanye; Layode Olanrewaju; Segun Olulade; Rotimi Olowo; Bisi Yusuf; Oluyinka Ogundimu and Lanre Ogunyemi.

    This move is a new development and negates the practice of screening the nominees without subjecting them to scrutiny by a committee.

    Responding to questions, a member of the committee, Olulade, said the committee would enable proper screening of the nominees.

    “It will give the House the opportunity to do its job thoroughly. The committee would have the opportunity to go deeper,” he said.

    Olulade added that it would be tiring to screen all the 37 nominees at once since “it would get to a stage where lawmakers would simply ask nominees to take a bow and leave”.