Tag: Lagos Assembly

The Lagos State House of Assembly has advanced efforts to improve landlord-tenant relations as the Lagos State Tenancy Bill scaled through its second reading during plenary.

Titled “A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in Lagos State Including the Procedure for the Recovery of Premises and for Connected Purposes,” the proposed legislation seeks to redefine the legal framework guiding tenancy agreements, rights, responsibilities, and eviction procedures in the state.

If passed into law, the bill will ensure that all stakeholders—landlords, tenants, and agents—clearly understand their rights and obligations.

Providing insight into the bill, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh highlighted its importance in bringing clarity and order to tenancy matters, including defined rent structures such as monthly and annual payment options, and transparent eviction notice procedures.

He added that the bill also clearly outlines the roles of agents, landlords, and tenants while offering legal guidance for courts in resolving tenancy-related disputes.

Supporting the bill, Hon. Aro Moshood described it as timely and people-oriented. 

He advocated the establishment of an enforcement body to curb the excesses of landlords, particularly those who impose arbitrary rents beyond legally approved limits.

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This law will ease the burden on tenants and help them plan their finances without undue pressure.

Hon. Stephen Ogundipe extoled the bill for being inclusive and comprehensive, stating that it addresses all aspects of tenancy, from agent engagement to rent payment terms and dispute resolution.

Contributing, Hon. Femi Saheed said the bill is a welcome development as it spells out the rights of landlords, including issues around tenement rates, land use charges, and other levies, while also affirming the rights of tenants and the jurisdiction of the courts in tenancy matters. “This law is long overdue and will definitely modernize housing relationships in Lagos,” he said.

In his remarks, Hon. Ajayi Oladele noted that the bill will address the lingering conflicts often created by estate agents. “For the first time, all stakeholders will have a clear understanding of their legal positions,” he stressed.

Commending the proposed bill for prioritizing fairness,

Hon. Omolara Olumegbon maintained that the bill handles issues around rent timelines—monthly or yearly—and how eviction processes are tied to them.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, noted the necessity of considering both tenants and landlords. He urged the House to consider tenants who may only be able to pay rent upon receiving End-of-the-Year bonuses and annual Leave allowances.

Speaker Obasa also highlighted the rising cost of building materials and the importance of rental income for many landlords. He therefore stressed the need for the government to review its promises on housing delivery and ensure they are being fulfilled.

Following the robust deliberations, the bill was committed to the Committee on Housing for further legislative scrutiny.

The Committee is expected to report back in three weeks.

 The Lagos State House of Assembly plans to establish a modern correctional service centre to help reduce congestion in federal correctional centres within the state.

The House stated the bill would provide for the administration of custodial and non-custodial measures in Lagos and for other related purposes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, in March 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari signed laws moving correctional services to the Concurrent Legislative List.

During Thursday’s plenary, Mr Mudashiru Obasa said the bill aimed to promote rehabilitation and reintegration, ensuring a more effective and humane correctional system.

Obasa noted that the bill, titled ‘Lagos State Correctional Service Bill, 2025,’ was initiated by members of the House.

He said the bill would provide training and rehabilitation programmes for inmates to reduce reoffending and promote safer communities.

The speaker thanked members for their contributions and described the bill as “the House’s baby” that must be given utmost attention.

“There is a need for the state to support its justice system with appropriate infrastructure for effective justice delivery.

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“This bill will create a safer and more reformed society, bringing lasting benefits to the people of Lagos,” Ibadan said.

The speaker then referred the bill to the House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and LASIEC, directing a report within three weeks.

Providing insight, Mr Oladipo Ajomale, Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights, said the bill aligns with global correctional standards.

Ajomale emphasised the bill focuses on reforming and rehabilitating offenders, rather than relying solely on punitive measures.

He noted that correctional services were now under the concurrent list, making the establishment of a state-owned centre timely and necessary.

Ajomale also outlined sections of the bill that ensure health and safety standards within the proposed facilities.

He said the bill includes provisions for juvenile offenders and modern surveillance systems such as CCTV installations.

In his remarks, Majority Leader, Noheem Adams, said the bill would safeguard inmates’ mental and physical welfare.

Adams also stressed the importance of hygiene and proper accommodation for prisoners.

Lawmaker, Abiodun Tobun, said the bill would offer inmates vocational training and a renewed chance at life.

He called for ethical standards from superintendents and the Director General overseeing the facility’s operations.

Another lawmaker, Femi Saheed, highlighted Lagos’ economic position and said a robust justice system would complement the state’s developmental goals.

Describing the bill as transformative, Saheed said the centre would reshape the state’s correctional landscape.

On her part, lawmaker Omolara Olumegbon stressed the need for a well-regulated correctional system and constant staff training.

Other lawmakers shared similar views, saying the bill would reduce overcrowding and provide life-changing opportunities for inmates.

They added the bill would offer support to vulnerable youth and urged its swift passage into law. (NAN)

The Lagos House of Assembly has adopted the recommendations of its Joint Committee on Economic Planning and Budget; Energy and Mineral Resources in support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s request for a solar-powered street lighting initiative. 

The proposal seeks to replace existing public lighting infrastructure across the state with smart, all-in-one solar street light fittings.

The project will be executed through an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) to LEDCO Limited and LUG Limited, with repayment secured via ISPO over a period of 36 months.

The request was originally submitted by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi and was subsequently referred to the Joint Committee for review.

Presenting the committee’s findings on the floor of the House, Chairman, Hon. Sa’ ad Lukman Olumoh disclosed that relevant commissioners and ministry ministry officials were invited to provide clarity on the project.

The transition to solar energy is expected to significantly reduce smoke emissions from diesel-powered streetlights and lower operational and maintenance costs.

The project aligns with the state’s smart city development agenda, promoting a more sustainable and efficient urban environment.

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The Committee urged the Lagos State Electricity Board to ensure equitable distribution of the solar street lights across all parts of the state.

The project will be fully funded by the contractors, with repayment secured via ISPO.

The House directed the Clerk, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to transmit a clean copy of the bill to Governor Sanwo-Olu for assent.

The House adjourned proceedings until Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

The solar-powered street lighting initiative is expected to promote a more sustainable and efficient urban environment in Lagos State, while also reducing the state’s reliance on diesel-powered streetlights.

Lagos State House of Assembly has said it would sanction Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that underperformed in their 2024 budget appropriation.

The Chairman of Economic Planning and Budget Committee, Sa’ad Olumoh, said heads of erring agencies might face penalties.

Speaking during the budget performance review at the assembly complex, he said: “There are financial regulation laws and there are sanctions. At the floor of the house, whatever agency that is found culpable in its performance, the head of that agency or the officer responsible normally faces the penalty for whatever they h ave committed, in line with financial regulation law.

“This exercise is meant to review the last quarter of this year. The essence of the review is to ensure the MDAs comply with the law, the Appropriation Law as it were for 2024 and 2025.

“It is important for our own oversight purposes and also to ensure the negotiation gets value for money. This is why under the leadership of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, the assembly has approved that the exercise takes place.”

Olumoh further said the state had achieved over 90 per cent budget performance for 2024 and that Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) had also accessed over 80 per cent of its budget ahead of the July 12 local government election.

He said although the state was doing the 2024 budget, which was N3.346 trillion; Lagos had the potential to exceed N10 trillion in budget size.

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“There is no part of Lagos State that is good that you don’t see the government doing one thing or the other. You have the physical infrastructure wearing new looks. If you go to Maryland, you will see a fantastic bridge being built. From Mile 2 to Okoko, the green line is ongoing and so many other places. We in the House of Assembly are taking it upon ourselves because it is a constitutional responsibility for us to do proper oversight,” Olumoh added.

During the sessions, MDAs were grilled on capital and recurrent expenditure.

LASIEC Chairperson Hon. Justice Omobolanle Okikiola-Ighile affirmed the commission’s readiness, saying they had visited the 20 local governments and assessed their preparedness at 90 per cent.

Ministry of Local Government also presented its report to the committee, though it is yet to be cleared.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has approved several nominees submitted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for pivotal positions across state agencies. 

During the plenary on Friday, the 12-man ad-hoc committee on screening of nominees, led by Hon. Mojeed (Ibeju-Lekki 1), presented its screening report, resulting in confirmations in sectors such as the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Electricity Regulatory Commission, Civil Service Commission, and other agencies.

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They include Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC):

Prince Adewale Taorid Ojora – Member

Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission:

Engr. Abimbola Odubiyi – Chairman (Non-Executive)

Mr. Tunde Gbajumo – Member (Non-Executive)

Dr. Animashaun Fouad Olayinka – CEO/Executive Member

Barr. Kofo Olokun – Executive Member

Engr. Oluwaseun A. Fadare – Executive Member

Lagos State Civil Service Commission Members:

Mrs. Dapo-Thomas Bolade

Mr. Fatai Olalekan Lasisi

Mr. Afolabi Olatunji Sobowale

Mr. Rufus Adekoya Adedapo

Mr. Lateef Yahaya

Office of the Public Defender (OPD) Governing Council:

Mr. Jide Badmos – Re-appointed

Ms. Yinka Shitta-Bey – Re-appointed

In another development, Hon. Adams Noheem (Eti-Osa I), Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, read a petition titled “Application by Oriba Community in Epe Local Government to join in the Petition of the Ladaba Community.”

The Assembly approved the report of the committee after deliberation on the petition.

The Assembly adjourned to Tuesday, May 9, 2025.