Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State inaugurated the ninth State House of Assembly on the 10th of June last year which led to the emergence of Mr Adebo Ogundoyin as the speaker.
One year down the line, how has the assembly faired in its constitutional roles and responsibilities as the second tier of government?
Let’s find out in this special report by our House of Assembly Correspondent, Mosope Kehinde.
After the inauguration, the lawmakers, who are 32 in number, elected among themselves eight principal officers and later inaugurated twenty-five standing committees for the purpose of effective legislative performance.
Some of the activities of the assembly during the year under review, border around making laws and provision of community services to the constituents.
The legislators also embarked on familiarization tours and courtesy calls on some corporate organizations and security agencies in the state.
Aside discharging its statutory responsibility of screening and confirming nominees into the state political offices, the present assembly in Oyo state has passed thirty-four bills, thirty-seven motions while eighty-two resolutions were adopted.
One of the important bills passed so far by the assembly was a legal framework for the much talked about Oyo State Security Network Agency Bill, codenamed “Amotekun Corps” which is in tandem with the southwest Governors’ initiative to create a regional security outfit for the protection of lives and property.
Other significant bills included the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Bill 2019, Investment Promotion Agency Bill 2019, and Oyo State Anti-Graft Agency Bill 2019.
Some of the notable events in the present assembly during the year under review were the passage of the 2020 State Appropriation Bill of 208 billion naira into law, the approval of seven point six billion naira loan to boost farm settlements in Akufo and Eruwa areas of Oyo state in October 2019 and the recent approval for the executive to access twenty billion naira contractor-financing-loan-facility as well as the two point five billion naira CBN credit-support-intervention-fund for the health sector in the state.
Just like other spheres of life, the Oyo State 9th assembly is also affected by the effects of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic as the lawmakers unanimously agreed to a thirty percent cut in its monthly allocation from the executive.
Events in the assembly cannot be said to be complete without mentioning the recent controversies among the lawmakers occasioned by a supposed rumour of impeachment of the speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin and that of the governor and his deputy which the leadership of the house denied and passed a vote of confidence on the governor during its plenary.
Speaking on the activities of the assembly in its first legislative year, chairman House Committee on Media and Information, Mr Kazeem Olayanju said though many of the lawmakers are first time members, they have been able to surmount their challenges through their commitment to repositioning Oyo state to greater heights.
Reacting on the delay in the implementation of a number of laws passed and motions adopted, especially the Amotekun and the anti-grazing laws, chairman, House Committee on Legislative Compliance, Mr Adeola Bamidele claimed that the dichotomy between the federal and state governments as well as little or no commitment from relevant agencies were responsible for the non-implementation of some of the house resolutions.
In a chat with radio Nigeria, the deputy speaker, Mr Abiodun Fadeyi who believed that the recent signing of executive order for financial autonomy for state legislatures will bring about quality legislation at the state level, advised the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, to look into the workability of the order considering the present economic downturn occasioned by coronavirus pandemic.
In his opinion, a public affairs analyst and political scientist, Dr Babatunde Oyedeji commended the lawmakers saying the achievement of the Governor Seyi Makinde administration shows the understanding between the executive and the legislative arms.
As the 9th assembly begins another journey of 365 days, it is hoped that the lawmakers will prioritise quality legislations and people-oriented laws and also sustain its harmonious relationship for the progress of Oyo state.
Mosope Kehinde
