Osun Assembly Passes Bill for Efficient Local Government Administration

The State of Osun House of Assembly has passed into law a bill to amend the State of Osun Local Government Areas creation and administration law 2015 and other connected matters

The passed bill State of Osun Local Government Areas creation and administration amendment (NO. 4) 2020 sponsored by Hon. Femi Popoola, the Deputy Speaker and member representing Boripe/Boluwaduro State Constituency and co-sponsored by Hon. Maruf Olanrewaju, the Majority Leader and member representing Irewole/Isokan State Constituency will curb the excesses of the Parliamentarians at the Local Government.

The Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye at plenary stated that the ammended was necessitated because of incessant agitations by the Parliamentarians to remove the Chairman.

He noted that various councils in the state have witnessed series of crises resulting from moves by councillors wanting to unseat the Chairman, saying the amendment will promote peace and harmony thus allowing for focused leadership at the Local Government Areas.

The Speaker stressed that, order 39 C that stipulates that a Chairman, Vice-chairman, Leader or Deputy-Leader can be removed from office by a resolution of the council by the votes of not less than two third majority forwarded to the House of Assembly within seven days has been suspended.

Owoeye held that the power to remove, suspend or any other recommendations rest solely on the State House of Assembly.

"The State House of Assembly shall after necessary investigations, remove, suspend or make any other recommendations as it thinks fit on any Chairman, Secretary to the Local Government or official including career officers of any Local Government Area, Local Council Development Area and Area Council in the state in the interest of peace, order and good governance of the state".

The Speaker also cited conditions under which a Chairman or Vice-chairman shall cease to hold office as resolution of two-third majority members declaring and medically verifying that they are incapable of discharging their duties arising from infirmity of mind or body.

He said, "Where the medical panel certifies in such report that in its opinion, the Chairman or Vice-chairman is suffering from such infirmity of the body as render him permanently incapable of discharging the function of his office, a notice thereof signed by the Governor shall be published in the Gazette if the Government of the State.

The Speaker also hinted that the passed bill will eradicate the issue of zero allocation to some councils in the state.

Owoeye noted that there shall be equitable allocation to local government in the state, stating that the position of the state Assembly is in tandem with the 1999 Constitution.

Citing Section 162 (8) of 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, he said, "The amount standing to the credit of local government councils of a State shall be distributed among local government councils of that State on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of the State".

He however stated that the amendment of the bill is in no way shielding Chairman of any council but to promote focused leadership and peace at the Local Government.

The Speaker pointed out that the House of Assembly will not hesitate to wield the big stick on any Chairman found wanting.