8th OYHA Reels out Notable Achievements

The 8th Oyo State House of Assembly, OYHA, was officially convened on the 10th of June 2015 with 33 members representing different constituencies.

The 8th assembly in the state engaged in different constituency projects, empowerment programmes as well as oversight functions in line with the constitution and the house rules.

On the floor of the house, under the outgoing administration which is expected to end in June this year, 84 bills were passed into law, some of which were privately sponsored while 133 motions were adopted.

Some of the remarkable bills that were passed included the Oyo State Tenancy Bill 2016, Joint Local Government Account Distribution Further Amendment Bill 2018, Oyo State Kidnapping Prohibition Bill 2015, Land Use Charge Amendment Bill 2018 and State Family Planning, Reproductive Health and Maternity Service Bill, 2017.

Speaking on the achievements of the Assembly during the outgoing tenure, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr. Joshua Oyebamiji said the assembly has fared far beyond average in contributing to the development of the state.

Mr. Oyebamiji explained that though the level of implementation of the laws was still not encouraging, he expressed hope that the incoming lawmakers will prioritise monitoring.

In an interview, Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Abdulwasi Musah said there was sustainable peace between the legislative and executive arms of government in the state.

The Oyo State House of Assembly also sworn in a new Clerk of the House, Mrs. Felicia Oyediran.

She took over from Mr. Paul Bankole, who retired after attaining the age of 60 years.

Also during the administration under review, the assembly lost two lawmakers, the then Speaker of the House, representing Ibarapa East State Constituency, Mr. Michael Adeyemo died on the 27th of April last year during a brief illness and paved the way for the emergence of Mr. Olagunju Ojo as the Speaker of the House.

Mr. Debo Ogundoyin of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, won a bye-election to fill vacant seat created by the death of Mr. Adeyemo.

A former Member of the House, representing Orelope State Constituency, Mr. Gideon Aremu was also murdered by armed robbers at the entrance of his residence in Ibadan.

Mr. Olawale Balogun later emerged winner following the August 20 bye-election to fill the seat of Mr. Gideon.

As the 8th assembly in the state bows out, it is hoped that the incoming lawmakers will take a critical look at the activities of the outgoing legislative administration with a view to consolidating on them for the progress of the state.

Mosope Kehinde