Deputy director of Legislative in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Olaosebikan Olajuwon, has said legislative effectiveness has significantly impacted the state and promoted good governance.
Olajuwon, who stated this in an exclusive chat with LEADERSHIP in Lagos, lauded the assembly for sustaining robust debates before passing bills that directly impacted residents’ lives.
He said some of the bills that have directly impacted the residents and visitors include the bill establishing the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Police Trust Fund, Special Court on Domestic Violence, Cancer Treatment, and “Amotekun.”
According to him, another bill that will surely have a positive impact is the Law for Establishing Lagos State Correctional Service, which will make provisions for administering custodial and non-custodial measures in Lagos Stàte for people who breach the law.
Olajuwon noted that the bill focuses on rehabilitating inmates after their release from correctional centres so they can be reintegrated into society after acquiring skills in prison.
He noted that, unlike some states where bills from the executive arms of government dominate proceedings, private member bills are given prompt attention in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Regarding the Presidential and Parliamentary systems of government, the Deputy Director said the Bi-cameral government practised at the Federal level is too expensive compared to the Parliamentary system of government.
He averred that the Unicameral government practised by the state assemblies in Nigeria should be adopted at the centre to reduce governance cost and save revenue for developmental purposes instead of putting money in the pockets of a few Legislators at the expense of Nigerians.
Olajuwon, who published a book “Comparative Legislators” (In 2016) due to exposure to Legislative activities in Canada, Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, however, said that Legislative procedures differ from one country to another, depending on the political culture of each country.
He disclosed that a revised edition of the book will soon be published, providing insight into reforms in legislative activities in Nigeria and other countries.
