INTRODUCTION
It is gratifying to note that the 8th Legislative Assembly which was inaugurated on 8th June, 2015 has left no stone unturned in improving the standard of good governance that Lagos State is known for.
There have been landmark achievements recorded by the Assembly through its timely, pragmatic and people-oriented laws, its representative function, oversight and resolutions.
LAW MAKING
Considering the perennial incidence of dastardly activities of land-grabbers otherwise known as “Omo oniles” who for many years have caused untold misery and havoc by depriving citizens of their land and property, killing and maiming in many instances, the Lagos State Anti-Land-Grabbing bill was passed into law to protect the citizens’ lives and rights. This law also seeks to encourage and attract potential investors into the State.
The Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law which was a private bill also came into being as a result of the frantic efforts of the Assembly to address the occasional security challenges in the State. It is a landmark initiative which embraces community policing and intelligence gathering as the best way to ensure adequate security.
In addressing the nerve wracking development of kidnapping which recently swept into the State and assumed a more disturbing proportion as school children became targets, the Kidnapping Prohibition bill was passed into law. The law, amongst other provisions, prescribes stiff penalties for culprits and collaborators. It is heart-warming to note that there have been considerable reduced incidences of kidnapping since the law became effective.
The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Law came into being as a result of the promise and commitment of the State government to alleviating the plight and rekindling the hopes of unemployed or jobless graduates. The law is to facilitate access to funds and to
encourage the unemployed develop entrepreneurial or industrial capabilities in sustaining themselves and creating jobs. Many citizens had begun to access the funds.
The Environmental Protection Law among others is a highly comprehensive and harmonised environmental laws of the state which seeks to complement the efforts and drives of the State towards meeting the challenges of a mega city. The law seeks to set acceptable criteria to control pollution and statutory nuisance in all forms. It also covers solid waste and waste water management, conservation and ecology management. It encourages citizens’ participation in environmental protection while the establishment of new sanitation corps will ensure the enforcement of the laws.
The Assembly has shown to all and sundry that in terms of thinking out laws that meet the very need of the populace Lagos is unparalleled. It is instructive to note that the Assembly is in the process of passing another landmark bill into law. This is the bill to mandate the teaching and speaking of Yoruba language in schools and colleges in the State which is a very big and bold step towards preserving our language, culture and tradition.
Through all these efforts, Lagosians have benefited immensely from the dividends of democracy. In other words, at 50, Lagos State has fared well considering the no-mean contributions of her legislative arm of government.
OVERSIGHT
In the area of oversight, the Assembly had demonstrated uncommon expertise and exemplary acumen in the discharge of its responsibilities by ensuring the effective implementation of government policies. It had effectively monitored and scrutinised the activities and budget of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) for the purpose of effective service delivery and democratic dividends. Defaulting MDA’s were invited or summoned for clarifications before the House, those that were found wanting were reprimanded. This has also brought radical but positive changes to all sectors of the State economy.
RESOLUTIONS
The moving of motions and passage of same into resolutions on the floor of the House is one of the tools adopted by the House in addressing myriads of social, moral, economic and political challenges within the State. The resolutions have been timely, deeply impactful and pragmatic. It has also helped sometimes to set Agenda for the State Government.
PETITIONS AND OMBUDSMEN
Amongst the responsibilities of the House of Assembly is to receive and investigate petitions from citizens who alleged violation of their fundamental rights. The Assembly from inception has attended to so many petitions, many of which without the intervention of the House could have degenerated into serious chaos or crisis in the State and capable of destabilising the government. Many petitions were referred to the various standing committees while Ad-hoc Committees were set up to take up some other urgent or special assignments. Through these means, citizens plight were ameliorated, the seeming hopelessness of the aggrieved were restored such that the House of Assembly is truly seen as the House of the people. The House of Assembly performs these conciliatory, arbitrative and investigate roles to the benefit of the citizenry.
CITIZENS ENGAGEMENT, PUBLIC HEARING AND RELATION WITH CIVIL SOCIETIES
The Assembly in order to make sure that its laws and policies adequately reflect the yearnings or feelings of the citizens, constantly invites members of the public including NGO’s / CSO’s to make their contributions during public hearings to consider bills before they are passed into laws. This gives the House great benefits in looking at issues from completely different perspectives which makes for well-grounded and comprehensive laws.
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
On infrastructural innovations, the current Assembly, as part of the activities to celebrate the State at 50 formally commissioned the L-shaped office building which would provide office accommodation for the officials. Although its construction was commenced during the 7th Assembly, the building is no doubt the cynosure of all beholders as it is a modern building equipped with state of the art facilities. Thus providing a conducive and productive atmosphere for the optimal performance of Honourable Members and staff. The Assembly also has to its credit live streaming of its activities which covers plenary and special sessions.
The celebration of Lagos at 50 has been made possible because of the cordial relationship and peaceful co-existence among the three arms of government in the State. The celebration is also anchored on the cooperation of the citizens with the various policies and programmes of the Government.
It is worthy to commend, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State for his brilliant, energetic, responsible and responsive leadership. His efforts for a better Lagos are yielding fruits in all the nooks and crannies of the State. Mention must also be made of the astute and focussed leadership style of Rt. Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly who has brought his expertise, experience and energy to bear in the steering the ship of the State Legislature.
The following are a selection of some of the strategic laws passed by the House from its inception in 1979 till date which have changed the face of Lagos till the present time.
1. A Law Providing for the Establishment of the Lagos State Council of Chiefs
2. A Law to Repeal IBILE Property Corporation Edict No. 14 of 1976
3. A Law Providing for the Establishment of the Lagos State Civil Service Commission
4. A Law to Amend the Lagos State Health Management Board Edict No. 12 of 1979.
5. A Law Providing for the Establishment of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission
6. A Law to Make Provision for Local Government Council, 1980
7. A Law Providing for the Selection, Appointment and Recognition of Obas and Chiefs in Lagos State and for purposes incidental and supplementary thereto.
8. A Law to Provide for the Establishment of the New Towns Development Authority.
9. A Law to Provide for the Establishment, Incorporation, Constitution and Function of the Lagos State University and for all other matters incidental thereto or connected therewith
10. A Law to make provisions for Free Education and for Purposes Connected therewith, 1979.
11. A Law to Provide for the Creation of New Local Government Areas in Lagos State, 2002
12. A Law to provide for Local Government System, Establishment and Administration of Local Government Councils and for other connected purposes; 2002
13. A Law to Establish the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority and for connected Purposes; 2002
14. A Law to Provide for the Establishment of the Citizens Mediation Centre, Duties of the Centre and for Connected Purposes; 2003
15. A Law Establishing the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority to Regulate, Control and Manage Traffic and for other Connected Matters; 2004
16. A Law to Establish the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory;2004
17. Internal Revenue Service Law 2006
18. Lagos State Number Plate Production Authority; 2006
19. A Law to Establish the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Management Board and for Connected Purposes; 2004
20. Childs Right Law
21. A Law to Establish the Lagos Waste Management Authority and for Connected Matters; 2007
22. A Law to Prohibit the Legal Relationship Between Persons of the Same Sex, and for other Connected Purposes; 2007
23. A Law to Provide for the Establishment of the Lagos State Driver’s Institute for the Training of Professional Drivers and for other Connected Matters; 2007
24. A Law To Provide Protection Against Domestic Violence and for Connected Purposes; 2007
25. Regulation of Outdoor Structures for the Display of Signage, Hoarding and Advertisement in Lagos State; 2007
26. Security Trust Fund, 2007
27. Micro Finance Institution, 2008
28. Restriction of use of public Roads and setbacks for social, Religious, and Commercial Purposes, 2008
29. Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission Law; 2008
30. Lagos State Emergency Management services, 2008
31. Establishment and functions of Physical Planning and Development Agencies; 2010
32. Establishment of the House of Assembly Service Commission, Functions of the Commission and for connected purposes; 2011
33. Lagos State Public Procurement Law, 2011
34. A Law to Provide for Enhancement of the Welfare of Disabled Persons, Establishment of a Disabled Welfare Council and for Connected purposes;
35. Residents Registration Agency Law, 2011
36. Parks and Gardens Agency Law, 2011
37. Lagos State Tenancy Law, 2011
38. Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation Law, 2013
39. Lagos State Emergency Command and Control Centre, Law 2014
40. Regulation of Smoking Law, 2014 (Private Member)
41. Consumer Protection Agency Law 2014 (Private Member)
42. Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Law, 2016;
43. Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law, 2016
44. Lagos State Public Works Corporation Law, 2015;
45. Lagos State Revenue Administration Law, 2015;
46. Ibile Holdings Corporation Law, 2015;
47. Kidnapping Prohibition Law, 2017
48. Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017
49. Lagos State Judiciary Self Accounting Law
50. Agency to Regulate and Control the Erection and Installation of Masts, Towers etc. and for Connected Purposes; 2011
CONCLUSION
Lagos State since its creation half a century ago, has been a perennial model and reference point for governments both at State and Federal levels. The commitment of its leaders is unparalleled. The State legislature from inception in 1979 has been remarkably determined at the delivery of good governance; alleviation of poverty, good standard of living, economic progress and infrastructural development, security of lives and properties amongst other indices of qualitative human existence.
The contributions of Lagos State House of Assembly cannot be ignored in the overall assessment and achievements of the State.
Lagos State House of Assembly