The bill on ‘Ogun State Community Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So Safe Corps) Agency’, Thursday scaled second reading with an assurance that when passed into law will help restructure the Vigilante Service in the State to curtail crimes and criminality in communities across the State.
Honourable members who spoke in favour of the bill including the Deputy Speaker Olakunle Oluomo who opened debate on it affirmed that the bill would complement the operations of the existing security agencies and enhance community policing, promote good morals and prevent other social vices in communities in the State.
The Deputy Speaker spoke shortly after he moved the motion for the second reading of the bill seconded by a member representing Odeda State Constituency, Hon Yetunde Sogbein and supported by the Whole House.
Oluomo, who is also the sponsor, added that the bill would further curb thuggery promote campaign against rape, violence against women and children with a view to reducing fund spent in fighting crimes urged his colleague lawmakers to support the bill and ensure its speedy passage.
The bill titled: “HB No. 16/OG/2016- The Ogun State Community Social Orientation and Safety Corps (SO Safe Corps) Agency Law, 2017- A Bill for a Law to Establish the Ogun State Community Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) Agency for the Regulation and Control of Community Social Orientation and Safety Corps Activities And For Connected Purposes”.
He added that it would also integrate retired security personnel, public servants and other volunteers as special marshals in their respective communities to enhance security in the communities in the State, while promoting social orientation in the society.
Corroborating the Sponsor’s view, Honourables Yetunde Sogbein, Olusola Sonuga, Juliana Akintayo and Rasaq Oduntan stressed that the security of lives and property in the State remained the priority the present administration, explaining that the bill when passed into law would further boost the security network in the State.
Also supporting the bill members including, Rasaq Oduntan, Tunde Sanusi, Adeyemi Harrison, Idowu Olowofuja and Ganiyu Oyedeji said the bill would checkmate the nefarious activities of criminals and armed herdsmen as well as ensuring timely reporting of any suspicious movement and activity of criminals thereby improving the relationship between the police and community as it concerns law enforcement activities.
In their remarks, the Minority Leader, Olawale Alausa, Adeyinka Mafe and Jimi Otukoya sought for a second look at the provisions of the bill as it relates to funding and called for more consultations from concerned stakeholders on the bill to reflect the present realities.
Responding, Speaker Suraju Ishola Adekunbi appreciated his colleague lawmakers for their robust debate and thereafter committed the bill to the Committee of the Whole House for further necessary legislative actions.
Packaged by Hazeez Ayansola
