Osun Assembly worries over poor implementation of laws

Rt. Honourable Najeem Salam, Speaker Osun State House of Assembly

The State of Osun House of Assembly on Monday expressed worry over the poor level of implementation of the laws being passed by houses of assembly in the country.

Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam stated this in Ijebu-jesa at a two-day training workshop on legislative practice and procedure organised for members of the Assembly.

According to a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the speaker said it was very unfortunate that there were several bills that could improve the economy of the states and the federation at large which have been passed, but poorly implemented or not implemented at all.

“On the passage of bill, not minding the number, bills would only be passed for the sake of it if they are not being implemented.

“There are several bills passed in this country after legislators have put in their best, but not being implemented. There are bill that can develop this state and Nigeria as a whole that are there lying fallow”, he said.

The Speaker, according to the statement, however, stressed that the Assembly would be careful and do thorough job before the passage of the 2016 budget to ensure that a realistic budget is approved.

He said the present cash crunch in the state and the country at large was responsible for the delay in the passage of the budget.

According to him, the Assembly has been looking critically into the budget, monitoring the trend of revenue to arrive at a reasonable conclusion in appropriation law for the year.

Explaining the rationale behind the training for members, the speaker reportedly said, it was meant to enhance capacity of members on the application of legislative rules and procedure, as well as ensuring effective, robust and participatory legislative process.

In his lecture, a former Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr Niyi Ajiboye reportedly said lack of financial autonomy has been responsible for the failure of the executive to take the implementation of the laws passed by houses of assembly with seriousness.

He said, if the Assemblies are given autonomy, it would make them more efficient to be able to hold executive responsible for non-implementation of laws.