Akeredolu vows not to interfere in legislative deliberations

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, has assured the incoming 10th Assembly that his administration would not interfere in its parliamentary deliberations and works.

Akeredolu, represented by his deputy, Mr  Lucky Ayedatiwa, made the remark at the induction ceremony for the new members of state Assembly on Monday in Owo.

Veracity understands that there are 22 newly-elected members of the assembly while four are returning.

According to him, against the backdrop of an independent Assembly, you would be expected to legislate properly and effectively with a view to promoting good governance and development for the overall benefit of the people.

“The constitution grants you enormous powers and responsibilities which centre on the making and amending of laws for the state and performing oversight functions.

“It is for this reason that this induction has been organised to sharpen your intellects and familiarise you with the business of the Legislative Assembly.

‘’This forum therefore avails you the opportunity to learn, unlearn and re-learn,” he stated.

The governor tasked them to see themselves as trustees of the entire state, adding that they should not betray the confidence reposed in them by their constituents.

Akeredolu, however, congratulated them and described the legislature as the ‘’engine room of democracy”, which, if expunged, autocracy would set in.

He said that his administration had a robust relationship with the outgoing 9th Assembly and tasked the incoming assembly on better relationship in order to build a more virile state.

Also speaking, the outgoing Speaker, Hon. Bamidele Oloyelogun, said that the significance of the programme was the introduction of the new members to a new job, skill, organisation, environment, lexicon, and language of the legislative arm.

Oloyelogun, who was not re-elected, stated that any knowledge acquired at the training would go a long way in determining their performances as legislators when inaugurated.

According to him, the occasion offers a unique opportunity for participants to begin their assignment on a right footing, bearing in mind that it is veritable in developing and deepening democratic structures.

He told them that the programme would provide them with necessary insight into legislative terrain, especially at the state level.

Oloyelogun said: ‘’A well-packaged induction programme like this will certainly help our ability to perform effectively and efficiently.

‘’This is the reason why the programme has been made residential, so that there will be little or no distraction that could hinder your concentration.

“Speaking from the privileged position as serving legislator, I want to state that there is a lot of work to be done in the 10th Assembly.’’

He explained that the learning experiences acquired would set agenda for the incoming 10th Assembly individually and corporately in the interest of the state and for the benefit of mankind.

In his remarks, the Clerk of the House, Mr Taiwo Jaiyeola, said that the induction was usually more conversational in nature, exposing participants to critical information and knowledge pertaining to their work and environment.

He urged the inductees to take the sitting of the House of Assembly seriously.

Jaiyeola added, ‘’by virtue of Section 104 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the House of Assembly shall sit for a period of not less than 181 days in a year.’’