TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ogun Assembly

  • Ogun Assembly postpones mid-year budget performance appraisal for MDAs

    Ogun Assembly postpones mid-year budget performance appraisal for MDAs

    The Ogun House of Assembly has rescheduled its mid-year budget performance assessment  for Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to July 28.

    The Deputy Clerk of the House Assembly Mrs Funmi Adeyemi disclosed the new date for commencement of the exercise in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abeokuta.

    Adeyemi explained that the shift in the date of the exercise from  July 21 to July 28 was as a result of the just suspended industrial action by workers in the state.

    The clerk said that the exercise was part of the constitutional responsibility of the legislative arm to assess the level of compliance of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government to the State’s 2025 Appropriation Law.

    According to her, the exercise is aimed at ensuring that value is got for all government resources expended on project implementation.

    Adeyemi therefore directed all Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to attend the exercise in line with the revised schedule commencing from Monday, July 28 by 10:00a.m.

  • Ogun assembly passes power sector bill

    Ogun assembly passes power sector bill

    Ogun House of Assembly on Thursday passed the bill seeking to improve electricity generation, transmission and distribution within the state.

    The bill also seeks to establish an electricity market and key power sector bodies, as well as enforce consumer rights and obligations.

    Mrs Bolanle Ajayi (APC-Yewa South), the Deputy Speaker, presented the report of the Committee of the Whole during plenary in Abeokuta.

    Ajayi moved the motion for the adoption of the report, which was seconded by the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye (PDP -Odogbolu).

    Mr Yusuf Serif (APC-Ado Odo Ota 1), the Majority Leader, moved the motion for the third reading of the bill and it was seconded by Adeleye.

    NAN reports that the lawmakers had during the second reading of the bill on Aug. 28 took turns to debate the desirability of the bill .

    Some of them however thanked the federal and state governments, as well as the National Assembly, for moving the issue of electricity from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent legislative list.

    They noted that it allowed  states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity within their jurisdiction.

    The legislators explained that the initiative would assist in promoting healthy competition among electricity operators, create enabling environment for industries and boost business investment.

    The lawmakers noted that if the state was able to generate power, over 50 per cent of the challenges facing the people would have been resolved.

    They opined  that access to power would also help reduce rural-urban migration in the state.

  • Ogun Assembly recommends suspension of traditional ruler

    Ogun Assembly recommends suspension of traditional ruler

    The Ogun House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution recommending immediate suspension of Oba Taofeek Owolabi, the Olu of Obafemi in Obafemi Owode Local Government area of the state, over alleged land grabbing.

    Mr Babatunde Tella(APC-Abeokuta North), the Vice Chairman, House Committee on Justice, Ethics and Public Petitions, read the committee’s recommendations while presenting its report during plenary in Abeokuta.

    The report was on a petition received from Agboro Olatunde Community Development Association against Oba Owolabi.

    Tella said the house received the petition on Jan. 29, from the community against the traditional ruler who was accused of land grabbing.

    He explained that in a bid to resolve the issues raised by the petitioners and to avert possible breakdown of law and order in the community, the committee invited both parties for a meeting.

    The lawmaker stated that the traditional ruler failed to appear despite several invitations sent to him.

    “The committee embarked on on-the-spot assessment of the land under contention and observed that the action of the traditional ruler is contrary to the Anti-Land Law 2016 of Ogun state.

    “Oba Owolabi, who was accused of land grabbing brought in a developer to Agboro-Olatunde village, where over 30 Hectares of land belonging to residents was cleared,” he said.

    Tella explained that after thorough investigations, the committee recommended that the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to prosecute the traditional ruler.

    “This will be in accordance with provisions of the Anti-Land Grabbing Law 2016 of Ogun State and other extant laws.

    “The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Ogun State Council of Oba should immediately suspend the traditional ruler for perpetrating acts capable of disrupting peace of residents of Agboro-Olatunde village,” he said.

    He urged residents of the community to be law abiding and steer clear of acts inimical to peace pending the implementation of the House recommendations.

    Tella, thereafter, moved the motion for adoption of the report, and it was seconded by Segun Kaka(Ijebu North 11).

    Mr Sherif Yusuf (APC-Ado Odo Ota 1), the Majority Leader, moved a motion that recommendations of the committee on the petition should become the House resolution, and it was seconded by Lukman Adeleye (PDP-Odogbolu), Minority Leader.

    Mr Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda), the Speaker, directed the Clerk, Mr Sakiru Adebakin, to communicate the resolution to relevant authorities.

  • Ogun assembly passes Local Government Amendment Law

    Ogun assembly passes Local Government Amendment Law

    The Ogun House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the state Local Government Amendment Law 2024.

    Mr Jemili Akingbade (APC-Imeko Afon), Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, read the report of the committee at plenary in Abeokuta.

    Akingbade, thereafter, moved the motion for the adoption of the report and seconded by Dickson Awolaja (PDP-Remo North).

    The bill was later read and adopted clause-by-clause before the Committee of the Whole.

    The motion for the third reading of the bill was moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sherif (APC-Ado Odo Ota 1), seconded by Adeniran Ademola (Sagamu 11).

    Consequently, the Deputy Clerk of the House, Mrs Funmilayo Adeyemi, took the third reading of the bill before the lawmakers.

    Mr Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda), thereafter, directed that the clean copies of the bill be transmitted to Gov. Dapo Abiodun for his assent.

    The assembly had during second reading of the bill submitted that the amendment was aimed at creating a full-fledged Department of Audit Investigation and Control.

    They noted that the department would be carved out from the existing Department of Finance and Accounts in the Local Government Administration.

    The lawmakers added that it would ensure transparency, accountability and effective service delivery at the third tier of government.

    They stated that the amendment was poised to ensure improved value for scarce resources of government and ensured career progression.

  • Ogun Assembly passes Assembly Commission Amendment bill

    Ogun Assembly passes Assembly Commission Amendment bill

    The Ogun House of Assembly on Wednesday passed the State House of Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

    The passage of the bill followed  presentation of the Committee’s report by the Chairman, House Committee on Establishments and Public Service Matters, Mr Babatunde Tella at plenary in Abeokuta.

    Tella moved the motion for its adoption, seconded by Mr Adeyanju Adegoke and supported by all the members.

    The bill was later read and adopted clause by clause before the Committee of Whole.

    The Majority Leader, Mr Yusuf Sheriff, moved the motion for the third reading of the bill, seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr Lukmon Adeleye and supported by the Whole House through a unanimous voice vote.

    Consequently, the Deputy Clerk of the House, Mrs Funmilayo Adeyemi, took the third reading of the bill before the lawmakers.

    The Speaker, Mr Oludaisi Elemide, directed that the clean copy of the bill be forwarded to Gov. Dapo Abiodun for his assent.

  • Ogun Assembly summons ex-commissioner over alleged financial infractions

    Ogun Assembly summons ex-commissioner over alleged financial infractions

    The Ogun Assembly has summoned a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Odusile, for clarification of some financial infractions contained in the 2021 and 2022 audit reports.

    Mr Damilare Bello, Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, issued the directive on Monday in Abeokuta while considering the Ministry’s auditor reports for 2021 and 2022 as presented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Waheed Adesina.

    The assembly also summoned a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Abiodun Awere, and the Director of Finance and Accounts who served in the Ministry during the period under review.

    Bello in company of other members of the committee submitted that the invited officials were expected to appear before the committee on Feb. 29 at 1.00pm.

    He added that they were to provide further information on various infractions regarding N92.9 million released to the ministry from the Governor’s contingency fund to supplement funds released for the expenditures of the Ministry.

    The lawmaker also directed the Ministry’s Director of Finance and Accounts to furnish the Committee with further details on the transfer of N2.51 million to individual accounts as contained in the Year 2021 Auditor General Report.

    “It was observed from the available records and bank statements of the Agency that over N2.5 million was transferred to the personal accounts of Mr Ojo Emmanuel, Special Adviser on Media to the governor, for the purchase of working tools for government New Media Team.

    “This was a breach of the due process procedure and it is against financial Regulations No. 614.

    “It is advised that funds should be transferred directly to the vendors bank accounts and not individual personal accounts for the purpose of accountability and transparency,” he said.

    Bello equally directed the Director, Finance and Accounts to avail the committee with the Ministry’s up-to-date fixed asset register, while requesting for the submission of the cash inflows and outflows.

    Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Adesina assured the committee that efforts were being made to guide against issues raised in the audit report.

    He promised that the Ministry would comply with all the directives with a view to continually promoting accountability and transparency in the running of Ministry.

  • Abiodun drops commissioner-nominee as Ogun Assembly confirm others

    Abiodun drops commissioner-nominee as Ogun Assembly confirm others

    Ogun Assembly has confirmed the nomination of nine out of the 10 commissioner-nominees  recently screened.

    The name of the 10th nominee, Mr. Tunde Oshunbiyi, had been withdrawn by Gov. Dapo Abiodun.

    The approval was sequel to the adoption of the report of the Committee of the Whole House, chaired by the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, as presented by his Deputy, Bolanle Ajayi.

    Ajayi moved the motion for the adoption of the report during plenary in Abeokuta, which was seconded by Lukmon Atobatele.

    The confirmation of the nominees was, thereafter, done following the motion moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, and seconded by the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye.

    According to the report, “the committee found the nominees eligible and suitable to assume the exalted office of commissioners in Ogun State.”

    The assembly had, on Aug. 4, confirmed eight commissioner-nominees.

  • Ogun Assembly receives list of additional commissioner-nominees for screening

    Ogun Assembly receives list of additional commissioner-nominees for screening

    The Ogun House of Assembly on Tuesday in Abeokuta acknowledged the receipt of a list of 10 Commissioner-nominees from Gov. Dapo Abiodun.

    A release signed by the Clerk/Head of Legislative Service, Mr Deji Adeyemo, had indicated that the new nominees would be screened by the state lawmakers on Wednesday.

    The new nominees are an addition to those confirmed earlier, and they include Messrs Taiwo Oludotun, Sofela Emmanuel, Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, Dairo Oluwagbenga and Owootomo Bolu.

    The rest are Oresanya Oladimeji, Balogun Ademola, Osunbiyi Tunde, Fagbayi Sesan and Mrs Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo.

    According to the Clerk, the nominees are to submit 30 copies each of their credentials to the Office of the Clerk by 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

    The assembly had on Aug. 4  screened and confirmed eight commissioner-nominees who were yet to be sworn in by the governor.

  • Ogun Assembly alleges Police connivance in land-grabbing, seeks IG’s intervention

    Ogun Assembly alleges Police connivance in land-grabbing, seeks IG’s intervention

    The House of Assembly in Ogun on Tuesday asked the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately look into alleged illegal arrest and detention of innocent residents of the state.

    Mr Olakunle Oluomo, the House’s Speaker, while making the request during plenary in Abeokuta, said the arrests and detention were on trumped-up charges by the police.

    He alleged that they were also being done in connivance with some suspected land-grabbers.

    The lawmakers had taken turns to report rampant cases of land-grabbing in their various constituencies.

    They spoke while contributing to a debate on the second reading of the State Anti Land-Grabbing (Amendment) Bill.

    “Hundreds of innocent residents of the state have continued to languish in the various detention cells of the Police Force both at Alagbon in Lagos and the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

    “The detentions were due to the connivance of land-grabbers with some security agents against innocent members of the public,” Oluomo said.

    He pleaded with the Inspector-General of Police to wade in to ensure that innocent people were not made to suffer on account of trumped-up charges.

    “All land-related matters should be charged to court, and I can promise that the new amendment to the bill will ensure the constitution of a task force by the State Government to handle land-related matters,” the House Speaker said.

    Earlier, while opening the debate on the bill, the sponsor, Damilola Soneye, lamented that the issue of land-grabbing had become rampant in the state.

    Soneye explained that there was the need for the amendment to make the law more effective and efficient.

    Other lawmakers who spoke said the activities of land-grabbers had been hampering the peace, progress and development of the state.

    “Hence, there is the need to take a holistic approach towards addressing the menace,” the bill sponsor said.

    Also, during plenary, the Ogun State Legislative Funds Management Law, 2023 and the Ogun State Official Orders of Precedence of Public Officers and Other Persons Law, 2023 were considered.

  • Heavy security at Ogun assembly as inauguration is postponed

    Heavy security at Ogun assembly as inauguration is postponed

    There was heavy presence of security personnel at the entrance of Ogun House of Assembly on Tuesday, as the planned inauguration of the 10th assembly is postponed.

    Newsmen reports that armed police officers and personnel of the Department of State Security (DSS) were present at the entrance of the assembly, screening those allowed into the assembly complex.

    Speaking to journalists at the entrance of the assembly complex, a member-elect, Olalekan Adeleye (PDP- Odogbolu), expressed shock over the postponement of the inauguration.

    Adeleye lamented that no letter was issued to members on the postponement, rather a WhatsApp message was said to have been sent to members-elect.

    “What is happening here this morning is strange. We have been in high spirit, hoping that we will resume here at 9am for our inauguration.

    “To our dismay, we are locked out and when we asked questions, someone called my attention to a WhatsApp message purportedly sent by the Clerk of the House that the inauguration has been postponed to June 20.

    “If at all this is going to happen, there are appropriate ways of communication.

    “The notice of this inauguration was sent via a proclamation letter written by the governor that the 10th assembly would start by June 13.

    “And if there is going to be a postponement, such proclamation letter should be withdrawn and followed by another proclamation letter conveying the new date,” he said.

    The member-elect who spoke on behalf of other eight PDP members-elect, who were also on ground, added that the sudden postponement was not the best way to start the present legislature.

    He noted that no senior management staff of the Assembly was around to talk to them on the reason for the postponement.

    Reacting, the immediate past Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, urged opposition party members-elect to keep calm over the postponement of the inauguration.

    Oluomo, who is representing Ifo-I, said that the news of the postponement was sent via the platform created for both the newly-elected members and the returning ones.

    The former speaker urged the members-elect not to be disturbed by the postponement, advising all members to wait for the new date.

    NAN reports that currently, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has 17 members-elect while the PDP has 9 members-elect.