Financial Autonomy to State Legislature: Gov Ahmed Signs Kwara Legislature Funds Management into Law

Following the constitutional amendment granting autonomy to state legislatures by the National Assembly, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdul Fatah Ahmed, has assented to a bill granting financial autonomy to the state House of Assembly.

The Bill titled “Kwara State Legislature Funds Management” was signed into law by the Governor, at the Government House on Monday, in a brief ceremony graced by the Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad, other members, Clerk of the House and members of the State Executive Council.

Speaking at the occassion ,Governor Abdul Fatah Ahmed, explained that life and society are dynamic and the nation ,especially the state, had to be responsive to the global dynamics of democratic tenets,to further make democracy more meaningful to the people.

The Governor observed that state legislatures could only effectively perform its statutory functions of check and balance for other arms of government, especially the executive,when they don’t have to depend on the executive for its funding.

He described the eighth legislature under the Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad, as one of the most vibrant that has served as check for his government, despite the fact that almost all the legislators belong to the ruling party.

Governor Ahmed then charged the incoming legislative and executive arms of government to consolidate on the achievements of the outgoing government, to further entrench democratic governance in the state.

Earlier, the Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad had said the Governor was the first state chief executive to assent to the bill granting financial autonomy to the state legislature in the country.

Dr Ahmad who described legislature as an effective institution against misappropriation of public funds, said that the eighth legislature had effectively served as check for the executive arm of government, provide platform for good governance and responsive to the yearnings of the people of the state.

The Speaker, who was visibly elated, over the assent of the Governor to the bill, disclosed that history had beckoned on Governor Ahmed for taken a bold step,towards ensuring good governance in the state.

He therefore enjoined the people of the state, to jealously guide the achievements of the outgoing government, by ensuring continuity in good governance, to further make democratic tenets more meaningful.

Abdul Rahman Sanni
Chief Press Secretary, to the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly

https://foaalrn.org.ng/2018/12/25/state-legislature-autonomy-will-engender-good-governance-ahmad/