The Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2000 has scaled through second reading on the floor of the Ogun State House of Assembly with an assurance from lawmakers that when passed and signed into law by the State Governor, it will give credence to the Local Government ( Creation and Transitional Provisions) Amendments Law, 2016, which led to the creation of additional 37 Local Government Development Areas.
The Assembly men spoke shortly after the motion for the second reading was moved by Hon. Ganiyu Oyedeji, seconded by Akinpelu Aina and supported by the Whole House through a voice vote at a plenary presided over by Speaker Suraju Ishola Adekunbi at the Assembly Complex, Oke-mosan.
Opening debate on the bill, Oyedeji, a member representing Ifo II State Constituency, explained that the amendment became imperative to allow for the legal accommodation of the LCDAs created to further promote good governance by bringing dividends of democracy to closer to the people.
Corroborating Oyedeji’s submission, Honourables Akinpelu Aina, Olujimi Otukoya and Tunde Sanusi, stressed that the bill when passed into law would further promote boost developmrnt st the grass root and properly strengthen the LCDAs as the third tier of government through a complete legal backing to deliver more quality service to the people.
In their separate submissions, the Deputy Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo and Minority Leader, Olawale Alausa stated that the bill upon its passage and assent by the governor, would accord the LCDAs, the deserved recognition in the law of the State.
Responding, Adekunbi applauded his colleague lawmakers for their quality contributions to the bill and thereafter committed it to the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for further legislative actions.
It would be recalled that the 8th Assembly under the leadership of Speaker Adekunbi, on the 5th of May, 2016 passed the titled: “H.B No. 02/OG/ 2016- The Local Government (Creation and Transitional Provisions) Amendments Law, 2016,” for the creation of 37 Local Council Development
Areas (LCDAs) in addition to the existing twenty Local Government Councils to bring government closer to the people and engender further development in all parts of the State.
In another development, the Assembly played host to the Local Organising Committee of the 2nd International Water Conference of the Nigeria Institute of Water Engineering, with an assurance that the Assembly would continue to promote quality and professional service in the State through the enactment of relevant legislations to further encourage indigenous engineers.
Adekunbi represented by his Deputy, Olakunle Oluomo lauded the water engineers for upholding standard practices and policies in the profession which according to him had put the State on the World map.
Packaged by Hazeez Ayansola
