ABEOKUTA – A cross-section of Ogun State lawmakers on Sunday expressed mixed reactions to the adoption of the report of the Committee on Public Service at the on-going National Conference on part-time legislature.
The delegates at the National Conference had on Wednesday unanimously agreed to adopt the report of the Committee on Public Service.
The report was on part-time legislature, and the committee had suggested it as one of the ways to reduce the cost of governance.
Some of the lawmakers who expressed their views in separate interviews with NAN in Abeokuta said the decision would not allow those in the legislature to perform effectively and optimally.
Mr Abiodun Akovoyan, Chairman, Public Accounts Committee in the Ogun House of Assembly, who is representing Ipokia constituency, cited his committee as an example.
He said the committee had been unable to cover the auditors’ report of over 70 agencies in the state due to the burden of its task.
“We are doing full-time and we have been unable to cover all the necessary areas. Is it when we are on part-time that we will be able to do it.
“I am the Chairman of Public Accounts, but if we want to do our job thoroughly in a year, the 365 days are not enough.
“If we are on part-time, I will not leave my work and come and sit down here in the House, and this will automatically have an effect on the people of the state.
“So, I do not think I want to go with part-time legislature as an option,’’ the legislator said.
However, while speaking, the Chairman, Water Supply and Energy, Mr Oludaisi Elemide, described the idea as a welcome development.
Elemide, representing Odeda Constituency, said anyone aspiring to become a legislative member should have been successful in his or her chosen career.
“Their background must be able to speak for them. If they have succeeded in their respective chosen career, then they will bring the wealth of experience into play in the house,’’ he said.
Works and Infrastructure Chairman, Mr Folorunso Adegbesan, representing Ijebu North II Constituency, said part-time legislature was better for the country.
He said it would help in reducing the cost of governance.
In her remarks, Mrs Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, the Chairperson, House Service Commission, said the issue of corruption in the legislature was beyond making it either part-time or full-time.
The lawmaker, representing Ifo II Constituency, said the electorate should be sincere when voting.
She said voting for candidates should be based on performance and credibility, not on what the candidate promised or gave at the point of voting.(NAN)
