Month: <span>July 2020</span>

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has described this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, the annual Islamic celebration, as a unique one judging by the impact of COVID-19, a global pandemic, on individuals, religion and the economy of nations, Nigeria inclusive.

In a message felicitating with Muslims in the state and the nation, Obasa who is the chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria, however, reminded the faithful that God deserves praise in whatever situation they find themselves because that is one of His commandments.

According to him, the world should see its present predicament as a call to get closer to God through humility, respect and love for neighbours.

Obasa congratulated Muslims who are alive to witness the celebration and urged them to remain conscious that “we all exist not by our strengths but by God’s grace.

“Within the year, many of us have lost loved ones; we have also had moments of downturn, but God has been our strength at such periods.

“As we mark this celebration, let us remember our brothers and sisters in need, let us remember the true meaning of love for one another and above all, we must all draw closer to God, who knows the end from the beginning and whose grace we constantly seek.”

The Speaker, who commended Lagos State and the Federal Government over the way they have handled the pandemic, pleaded with citizens to continue to adhere to medical instructions, including the use of face masks, sanitizers and washing of hands at required times.

“Adherence to instructions is one of the best ways we can collectively return our society to normalcy,” he said as he wished all Muslims in the country a happy celebration.

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly during Plenary on Monday held a valedictory session in honour of Late Hon. Tunde Braimoh who represented Kosofe Constituency II, eulogizing the late lawmaker in high esteem.

Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa described the Lawmaker as a man of uncommon intelligence, “Late Braimoh was a man of political sagacity, dutiful, energetic, great man of medals, a profound word smith, orator of high repute and a respecter of constituted authority despite his age and experience in public administration in the State.”

“The demise of Hon. Braimoh is still incomprehensible to us. His death threw me into another mourning mood after that of late Sen. Sikiru Osinowo who incidentally was from the same Local Government. No doubt, I have lost one of the most resourceful Member of this Assembly that I rely on for counsel and he has never disappointed me since my emergence as Speaker. He has contributed his quota to the growth and development of Kosofe and Lagos State.” He said.

Hon. Wasiu Sanni-Eshinlokun added that, “Death is a necessary end to life. With heavy heart will I miss Hon. Braimoh, and I want to commemorate with Mr. Speaker on his death. I pray that all of us end this journey of the 9th Assembly together alive. This is one death, too many.”

Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Majority Leader of the House pronounced Hon. Braimoh as a diligent Hon. Member who effectively and efficiently contributed to the growth, and integrity of the House.

“Late Braimoh’s presence when required, promoted the image of this House, and on behalf of my constituents, I pray that may God grant the wife, children and the people of Kosofe Constituency II the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”

Hon. Mojisola Meranda, Deputy Whip, while commemorating with the people of Kosofe II and his family said that, “I have had the opportunity to work with him at different committee levels and he has always been a delightful and detailed Member, a socialite and a good man.”

Hon. Sanni Okanlawon noted that he had observed Late. Hon. Braimoh and extracted high amount of knowledge from him during their encounters, “I have lost a brother and counterpart of Kosofe Constituency II and he will be fully missed by his constituents and colleagues at the Lagos State House of Assembly and Lagos State at large. We have lost an extraordinary person.” He said.

Other Members, who also enjoined in eulogizing, spoke about the life and times with Hon. Tunde Braimoh.

Consequently, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni to write informing the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and Chairman, All Progressives’ Congress (APC) of the passing of Hon. Tunde Braimoh.

Late Hon. Braimoh passed away on Friday, 10th July, 2020 representing Kosofe Constituency II and was the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Security & Strategy until his death.

He had earlier served as Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions & LASIEC and was also a two term Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, now Ikosi Isheri Local Council.

It has been over 24 hours, yet I am still in search of the right words to portray how I feel currently. It did not come like a lightening. No. It hit like thunder. Maybe. Maybe worse than that. Or how best can one describe the blow death brought upon us with the sudden demise of Hon. Tunde Braimoh? How best can I understand that one backbone of the Lagos State House of Assembly has been expunged, not even like something taken away temporarily to be returned someday? How best can I pull myself together knowing that we will not see this scholarly politician whose meritorious service has added to the gains of Lagos?

As I sit quietly, ruminating about our journey on this earth, how we became close pals, the circumstances that brought us together, Briamoh’s unique voice, his brilliant arguments and postulations, his sequence and enviable use of words that sometimes got us bursting with laughter and respect, his gait, his carriage, then the reality that none of these would be heard or seen again, I melt with thick sweats on my forehead. Can our tears cease?

Two times I have tried to put something together within the last 24 hours. Yet, same two times I have been at a loss for what to say.
Tunde Braimoh was not just a lawmaker, he was an ally, he never had ‘no’ for an answer. He knew what to do even before such was brought to his attention. He had a ready answer for all questions. I remember the many times he would walk up to me to tell me about issues. A constant characteristic was that he solved most of them before I got to know.

Yes, he was not perfect; he was a human being like all of us, but who can judge him when his good deeds, which are unquantifiable, are there before everyone? There is no doubting the fact that he touched lives personally and on behalf of the House of Assembly. He had feelings for the downtrodden – they benefitted immensely. In everything he did, he always placed himself in the shoes of the other person.

He was neat, his dress sense was unique. He was always careful with life and he took his health as a priority. His laughter still rings. I can’t imagine – and do not even want to – that in our next sitting, we would all be greeted by an empty seat without that handsome, tall and gallant man, whose brilliance was never in doubt.

This is truly a blow to us.Hon. Braimoh had plans, great ones, for Lagos State. He had shared some with me. He also always had his constituents in mind constantly thinking of how best to reach them and give them reasons to be happy.

This year 2020 has shown its troubling uniqueness. Between June and July, we lost two strong pillars. We were still grappling with the reality of the demise of Senator Sikiru Oshinowo, whose valedictory session Braimoh played a role in as the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Security and Strategy.

We will be consoled by the fact that the late two-term lawmaker served his State and the Federation of Nigeria with his might and intelligence and contributed immensely to their advancements. But, again, our hearts will continue to grieve. Rest on, dear brother and friend.

Rt. Hon. Obasa is the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday during the Plenary Session called on Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to direct the Commissioner, Ministry of Health to organize trainings for private hospitals in conjunction with Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Lagos chapter to help in the detection and treatment of COVID-19 patients with a view to reducing the spread of the virus.

Hon. Hakeem Sokunle who moved the motion noted that the Corona Virus is fast spreading and the non-inclusion of private hospitals with good medical facilities in testing and treatment of COVID-19 pandemic has limited the containment of the virus.

Hon. Sokunle added that if the State Government includes the services of private hospitals in the testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients and are given necessary training it would help to curtail the spread of the virus as well as reduce the pressure on over stretched government isolation centres and strengthen the synergy between the government and private health practitioners.

“There is need to be proactive ahead of more spread or another surge so as to avoid another total lockdown, this will also help the private professionals to join forces with the government hospitals. The facilities for private hospitals should be thoroughly screened, accredited and certified for treatment and testing of corona virus patients and when they become certified, patients should be referred to such hospitals.” He added.

Speaking, Hon. Noheem Adams stated that it was revealed that over 11 million people have been afflicted by this virus in the world while as at yesterday in Nigeria 30,249 are affected already, 684 people died from it, Lagos has 11,670 affected cases and 1,698 discharged but 133 died.

“We need to salute the Governor for his efforts in combatting this menace but it keeps spreading. It seems as if people don’t believe that COVID-19 does exist. There is need for us to look into herbal solutions, let us help our herbalist with fund to look for a solution. People are nonchalant about the wearing of mask and washing of hands with soap.” He added.

Hon. Abiodun Tobun stated that it is imperative for government to liaise with private hospitals and doctors that are competent and willing to help in curbing the virus because government cannot do this alone.

Hon. Lukman Olumoh explained that Lagos State Government has already approved 7 private laboratories to conduct COVID-19 test and 3 private hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients therefore there is need for Government to approve more hospitals so that it can accommodate such menace.

“Our Governor and Commissioner for Health have been doing a great job in ensuring that they combat this virus. The three approved private hospitals is a welcome development but we need more.” Hon. Yishawu expressed.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa however urged the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria to support the Government because this surge is getting out of hand. He also implored the Local Government LG and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs Chairmen to task landlords in their community to ensure that their tenants wear facemasks and all public transport passengers do same because this virus can easily be contacted.

In another development, the Lawmakers has confirmed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nominees, Mrs. Bola Adesola as Chairman, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and Mr. Kehinde Durosimi-Etti as Chairman of Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, July 6th, 2020 passed the Y2020 appropriation (amendment) Bill of ₦920,468,589,337Bn.
Members of the House passed the re-ordering from Consolidated State Revenue, CSR during the Committee of Supply, following the report by the Joint Committee on Economic Planning and Budget, and Finance.

The Speaker of the House Rt. Hon.(Dr) Mudashiru Obasa indicated that the total budget size shrunk by ₦248.093Bn being 21% to ₦920.469Bn from ₦1.168Tn which made the proposed revised total, ₦920,468,589,337Bn with the Recurrent Expenditure of ₦411,608,499,249 and Capital Expenditure of ₦508,860,843,967 for the year ending 31st December, 2020.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, Chairman, House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget noted that the approval of the House for re-ordering of priorities under the Year 2020 Appropriation contained 120 findings and 120 amendments as recommended by the Joint Committees and approved by the House through a voice vote.

The reordering of the Bill was necessitated by the unforeseen pandemic (COVID-19) which has adversely affected the internal revenue projections of the State and also crippled the economic activities on a global scale.
Giving the breakdown of the re-ordering.

Rt. Hon. Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni to forward a clean copy of the approved Y2020 appropriation (amendment) Bill to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his assent.

Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Public Private Partnership in a fact finding meeting on Monday has admonished the Ministry of Housing and other ministries and agencies of government to always adhere strictly to the law on Public Private Partnership in the State.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Lukman Olumoh who made this disclosure while addressing top officials of the Ministry led by the Commissioner, Mr. Fatai Akinderu at the Assembly Complex also directed them to review the agreements made with private investors with the view to ensuring Lagosians benefit from government initiative on infrastructural development in the State.

In his words, ” there is a need to review all agreements and ensure that your ministry complies with the law establishing Public Private Partnership venture. It is also imperative to note that contract agreements with private organisation willing to engage the government in joint venture cannot be valid unless brought to the Assembly for ratification”.

He charged them to critically evaluate the agreements of projects being undertaken by the Ministry, promising to provide support by taking the agency through the PPP process in the State.

Olumoh further stated that the involvement of private sectors was aimed at providing infrastructure for the State, which according to him would be of public benefits in the form of management expertise and monetary contributions.

However, observed that prior to the current administration, the rate of project completion embarked by investors was very slow as they came up with different excuses for not completing the proposed projects after they have finally taken possession of the lands.

In his contribution, Hon. Abiodun Tobun noted that most of the projects are not in tandem with the Public Private Partnership Law.

“Any PPP project must be submitted to the House for proper ratification and when such is not done, the contract remains Invalid,” he said.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, Chairman House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning ,urged the ministry to present all the PPP projects the Ministry is undertaking.

In his response, Commissioner for Housing Mr. Moruf Fatai Akinderu while appreciating the Committee for its prompt intervention assured them that Lagos State government’s effort is currently in line with the joint venture agreement to developers to provide housing units for the State to allieviate the challenges of acute housing shortage.

Others in attendance are; Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mr. Wasiu Akewusola Permanent Secretary, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ayodeji, SSA on Housing and some Directors from the Ministry of Housing.

Lagos State House of Assembly through its Committee on Finance on Wednesday has charged the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Rabiu Olowo to ensure Lagos State recovers the Stamp Duty remittance of over twenty years estimated at N4.7trillion from the Federal Government.

Hon. Rotimi Olowo, the House Committee Chairman on Finance made the statement during a meeting at the Assembly complex to make inquiries on the remittance of approved stamp duties to the State.

In his words, Hon. Olowo expressed that ”COVID-19 has messed up the budget process as a result there is need to explore other sources in a bid to move Lagos State forward”.

The presentation to explain the Stamp Duty recovery was done by Prof. Kola Adekoya, Rector and Project Consultant of School of Banking Honours who revealed that the Central Bank had at a time granted Lagos State Fifty Naira commission on every stamp duty transaction from a thousand Naira upward.

Upon inquiry from Nigeria Inter Bank Statement (NIBS) it was discovered that Lagos State had been cheated on for four years of this agreement and shut out of the stamp duty for twenty years. Recovery however became difficult due to the Federal Government reluctance and a case against the Federal Government instituted by former Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on stamp duties.

Prof. Adekoya sought for the support of the House of Assembly to gazette the research team so as to empower them to recover the money and direct the Attorney General of the State to withdraw the case instituted by former Governor Ambode which will allow the State access the stamp duty percentage backed up by the stamp duty act.

The existing report and documents from the research was given to the Lawmakers and the Commissioner for Finance who in turn promised to digest the information provided.

According to the Commissioner for Finance ” The truth here is obvious that there is a lot of money outside uncaught by the financial net. We will come back to the House of Assembly to relate our verdict on it. Monies are been owed to Lagos State that needs to be recovered”.

Hon. Rotimi Olowo submitted that “We need every money we can lay our hands on because the monies we borrowed are being repaid with interest while our money is out there which can transform Lagos to Dubai in two years”.

Hon. Olowo added that ” increase Revenue generation to enable the state perform its duties to its citizenry is the preoccupation of the committee” He therefore directed the Commissioner for Finance to report back to the House in fifteen days”.
Also present at the meeting was Hon. Lukman Olumoh, hon. Nurudeen Solaja, hon.David Setonji, hon.Moshood Oshun, hon.Gbolahan Yishawu and hon.Ibrahim Layode.

The Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Public Account Local has commenced the Y2017 audit exercise on Local Government projects in the State to consider the Auditor-General’s report on the inspection of Capital Projects of all the Councils for the period of January to December of 2017 on Thursday.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mojeed Fatai expressed that there is need to estimate the extent the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas performed in the area of projects in accordance to the recommendation and to establish those who really have the interest of their constituents in mind.

Some of the issues to be examined are; verification of projects, pictorial evidence, work orders, contravention of direct labour if any; if the capital projects were done in accordance to the capital budget of that year amongst others.

Those expected to appear before the Committee are the Council Chairmen, Managers, Treasurers, Engineer and Budget officers. They would be required to attend to issues raised by the Auditor General of the Local Government accordingly.

The Chairman added that the exercise is not a witch hunting exercise but rather to look at the queries raised by the Auditor General in the report and the exercise is to run for two weeks.

He however advised all the Council Officers to provide necessary information cum documents that would assist the Committee.

Members present at the meeting are Hon. Nurudeen Solaja, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon and Hon. Nureni Akinsanya.