Lawmakers Direct
Bills seeking change of name for TASCE, two others scale second reading in OGHA
Three bills including the Ogun State Fiscal Responsibility Commission (Amendment) Law, 2021, that which seeks the change of name of Tai Solarin College of Education to the Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology, Omu-Ajose Law, 2021 as well as Oba and Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council Law of Ogun State, 2021 have scaled through second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
Opening debate on the State Fiscal Responsibility Commission (Amendment) Law, 2021, the Sponsor, Hon. Kunle Sobukanla, as well as his colleagues Honourables Modupe Mujota and Abdul Bashir Oladunjoye, who took turn to lend their voices in support for the speedy passage of the bill, stated that when operational, the bill would be assist government in putting in place mechanism to determine its capacity to obtain credit as well as ability plan towards meeting the yearning of the people especially during emergency.
Honourables Ademuyiwa Adeyemi, Adeyanju Adegoke, Kemi Oduwole, Abayomi Fasuwa, Sola Adams and Yusuf Sheriff who deliberated on the basis of the Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology, Omu-Ajose, Law 2021, unanimously stated that the change of nomenclature for the Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu in Ijebu became imperative to address the identity challenge being faced by the institution in accessing intervention funds.
They posited that there was need for collaborative efforts between government, developmental partners and public-spirited individuals to improve on the existing infrastructural facility on the campus of the institution, saying that the choice of proposing a new name in honour of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu-land was a well deserved recognition for the paramount ruler especially in recognition of his untiring efforts towards the development of the State.
On “H.B. No 069/OG/2021- A Bill for a Law to provide for approved method for the Selection, Appointment and Recognition of Obas, Chiefs and Traditional Council in Ogun State and for purposes incidental and supplementary to them,” members who took turn to contribute to the debate opined that it was high time the various inadequacies contained in the old law were addressed through the enactment of an all-inclusive legislation that would spell out the process of installing monarchs in their various categories.
Condemning the irregularities that had characterized the selection process of traditional rulers, including controversial court rulings on facts and family histories, the lawmakers submitted that the bill poised to put the traditional institution in its pride of place; thereby encouraging charismatic and responsible individuals to ascend the thrones.
In his separate responses on the change of name of (TASCE) to the Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology, Omu- Ajose law, Speaker Oluomo eulogized Awujale for being a worthy monarch of class, who remained reputed for discipline and promotion of education in his individual capacity, enjoying stakeholders in education to evolve more educational reforms and enabling measures to serve as a bridge to higher academic attainment with a view to accommodating more students in tertiary institutes across the State. This, he noted, would take more secondary school leavers off the streets for more productive academic attainments.
He thereafter charged the three bills to the House Committees on Finance and Appropriation, Education, Science and Technology as well as Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for further legislative actions.
The Kwara House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the state Public Audit Bill 2021.
Our Correspondent reports that the bill is an executive bill forwarded to the House by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The motion for the passage of the bill was moved by the House Leader, Abubakar Magaji (APC-Ilorin Central).
The bill was passed after the House adopted the report of its Committee on Public Account presented by its Chairman, Abdulkareem Paku (APC-Malete/lpaiye/Oloru).
The bill passed allows the Office of Auditor-General of the state to be independent against domiciliation in the state Ministry of Finance and Planning.
The bill also made provision for the appointment of the Auditor-General of the state and delegation of power in the ministry.
It also provides for remuneration and other condition of service, removal of the auditor-general, immunity for personal liability and organisational structure of the Office of Auditor-General, among others.
The Speaker, Mr Yakubu Danladi, thereafter directed the Clerk of House, Hajia Halimah Perogi, to send a clean copy of the bill passed for the governor’s assent.
Akinlabi Afolabi, Ibadan
A bill to establish the Oyo State Audit Commission scaled through first and second reading at the Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.
Aside from seeing to the establishment of the Oyo State Audit Commission, the Bill titled “Oyo State Audit Bill, 2021” will also make provision for the appointment, condition of service, functions and powers of the Auditor General of the State and Local Governments.
It will equally see to the Auditing of Public Accounts at the State and Local Governments.
The bill has consequently been referred to the Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts, Finance and Appropriation for further scrutiny and deliberations.
The Speaker said the bill was yet another bold attempt to strengthen and improve auditing activities in the State.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Akeem Mustapha (Kajola) said the bill was meant to give power to the Auditor General and others who will ensure checks and balances on the spendings of Government at both State and Local Levels.
According to him, the Oyo State Audit Bill, 2021 will make the office of the Auditor General to be autonomous.
While speaking, Hon. Seyi Adisa (Afijio) added that, when passed , the Law will ensure regular and frequent auditing of Government spending.
He said the bill is reviewing the functions of the Auditor General for more optimum performance.
In the meantime, a bill for a Law to further amend the Mineral Development Agency Law, 2013 has also passed through second reading at the plenary.
Hon. Julius Okedoyin (Saki West) said the bill was to ensure further regularization of the activities of Miners in Oyo State.
Other Lawmakers Hon. Asimiyu Alarape (Atiba), Hon. Isiaka Kazeem Tunde (Oyo East/West), Hon Babajide Gabriel (Ib.North 2), Hon Kazeem Olayanju (Irepo/Olohunsogo) and Hon. Seyi Adisa (Afijio) agreed that though Mining is in the Exclusive Legislative List of the Federal Government, the bill will ensure that certain benefits accrue to both the State and the host communities from Miners operating in the State.
According to them, the bill when amended will make it mandatory for all Miners in the State to register with the State Mineral Development Agency.
The bill was later referred to the House Committee on Solid Minerals for further deliberations.
By Blessing wika, Abuja
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the long awaited Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB would be considered by the Senate onThursday, July 1.
The Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, dropped the hint after the report of the Joint Committee on Petroleum (Downstream); Petroleum (Upstream) and Gas Resources on the bill was laid yesterday on the floor of the upper legislative chamber.
The report was laid during plenary by the chairman of the joint committee, Senator Sabo Mohammed (APC Jigawa South West).
Lawan, therefore, mandated the joint committee to provide lawmakers with copies of the bill ahead of its consideration to enable them study its content.
He said, “Let me use the opportunity to thank our joint committee for working so hard, selflessly and patriotically to produce the report on the Petroleum Industry Bill.
“This report, a copy each, must be made available to each and every senator today, this afternoon.
“I don’t know how the committee would arrange it, but every senator must have a copy today.
“(And) we would be considering the report on Thursday.
“So, we have today (Tuesday), tomorrow (today) until the beginning of Thursday to look at the report, so that when we consider it, we will be doing so on the basis of what we have been able to read from this very important report.”
The Senate President had in May vowed that the National Assembly will do everything possible this year to defeat the demons frustrating the passage and Presidential assent to the PIB, in the last 14 years.
Lawan, who spoke to journalists on his 62nd birthday celebration in Abuja, said the patriotic zeal used by the National Assembly in October 2019, to pass the amendment bill on Deep Offshore Oil Production Sharing contracts, will be deployed for expeditious consideration and passage of the PIB already before it, latest by the end of first quarter of this year.
“PIB is like a demon. People both within and outside the country, are ready to work against it as they have been doing for the past 14 years but the ninth Senate and by extension, ninth National Assembly, will defeat the demon with the current bill before both chambers.
“The patriotic zeal, sheer determination and unity of purpose by all serving senators across party lines, to do this latest by the end of first quarter of this year, will be deployed on the bill immediately the Senate resumes on 26th of this month the way it did with Deep Offshore Oil Production Sharing Contracts,” he said.
The Senate President explained that “the main purpose of PIB which will later become Act, when passed and assented to, by President Muhamnadu Buhari, is to make the oil sector investments friendly for both local and foreign investors with attendant economic gains for the country.
“Through it, required competitive environment will be provided for businesses to grow and investors make their gains as well as Nigerians getting value for their money and government getting more revenue,” he added.
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