FOR legislators to operate optimally without hindrance from the executive arm
of government, the State Houses of Assembly must be financially independent.
Also, the Ekiti State House of Assembly Thursday canvassed financial autonomy for state legislatures like their counterpart at the national level.
This was the position of the Speakers of some State Assemblies Thursday that met with members of the State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI), a sub-group of British Department of International Development (DFID) on the ongoing constitutional amendment.
Canvassing financial autonomy for the State Assemblies were Ekiti State Speaker Dr Adewale Omirin, Nojeem Salam and Adesina Samuel Ajayi , his counterparts from Osun and Oyo States respectively .
The SAVI delegation were in Ekiti State as part of its tour of States in the South West part of Nigeria to sensitise members of the legislature on the need to support the ongoing constitution amendmentaimed at granting financial autonomy to the legislative arm of government in the country.
Omirin said that the 1999 constitution of Nigeria prescribed the principle of separation of powers between the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary, hence financial autonomy would fully guarantee the independent of the Legislature.
According to him, dependence of the legislature on the executive may result in inefficiency, noting that financial autonomy for the state assemblies would ensure effective discharge of the constitutional roles of the legislature.
Salam also expressed support for financial autonomy for the legislative arm of government. He said that financial autonomy would guarantee the position of the legislature in the Constitution.
Ajayi also described as an aberration for an arm of government to depend on another one, despite constitutional provisions. He said that the citizenry stands to benefit more from financial autonomy for the legislature.
The Ekiti lawmakers, during a sensitisation visit to the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday argued that autonomy was important to having an independent and efficient legislature in the state. They therefore called for the inclusion of financial autonomy in the on going constitution review.
The visiting lawmakers also sought the support of their Lagos State counterparts for a structured procedure in the impeachment of House officers and establishment of House of Assembly Service Commission in all states of the federation.
“The legislature must be financially autonomous to be virile, potent and courageous to be on the side of the people and to speak up when the executive is going off the track. It will also be easy for parliamentarians to scrutinise bills brought before them and make required adjustments without fear of financial strangulation,” Omirin said.
Deputy Speaker of the Lagos House, Kolawole Taiwo commended the Ekiti lawmakers for their sensitisation visits across the South-west States, but said the Lagos House had enjoyed the mutual respect of the executive arm of government.
Also, the Ekiti State House of Assembly Thursday canvassed financial autonomy for state legislatures like their counterpart at the national level.
This was the position of the Speakers of some State Assemblies Thursday that met with members of the State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI), a sub-group of British Department of International Development (DFID) on the ongoing constitutional amendment.
Canvassing financial autonomy for the State Assemblies were Ekiti State Speaker Dr Adewale Omirin, Nojeem Salam and Adesina Samuel Ajayi , his counterparts from Osun and Oyo States respectively .
The SAVI delegation were in Ekiti State as part of its tour of States in the South West part of Nigeria to sensitise members of the legislature on the need to support the ongoing constitution amendmentaimed at granting financial autonomy to the legislative arm of government in the country.
Omirin said that the 1999 constitution of Nigeria prescribed the principle of separation of powers between the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary, hence financial autonomy would fully guarantee the independent of the Legislature.
According to him, dependence of the legislature on the executive may result in inefficiency, noting that financial autonomy for the state assemblies would ensure effective discharge of the constitutional roles of the legislature.
Salam also expressed support for financial autonomy for the legislative arm of government. He said that financial autonomy would guarantee the position of the legislature in the Constitution.
Ajayi also described as an aberration for an arm of government to depend on another one, despite constitutional provisions. He said that the citizenry stands to benefit more from financial autonomy for the legislature.
The Ekiti lawmakers, during a sensitisation visit to the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday argued that autonomy was important to having an independent and efficient legislature in the state. They therefore called for the inclusion of financial autonomy in the on going constitution review.
The visiting lawmakers also sought the support of their Lagos State counterparts for a structured procedure in the impeachment of House officers and establishment of House of Assembly Service Commission in all states of the federation.
“The legislature must be financially autonomous to be virile, potent and courageous to be on the side of the people and to speak up when the executive is going off the track. It will also be easy for parliamentarians to scrutinise bills brought before them and make required adjustments without fear of financial strangulation,” Omirin said.
Deputy Speaker of the Lagos House, Kolawole Taiwo commended the Ekiti lawmakers for their sensitisation visits across the South-west States, but said the Lagos House had enjoyed the mutual respect of the executive arm of government.
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