By Adebayo Abdullahi
The 8th Legislature of Kwara State was inaugurated on the 9th of June, 2015 and Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Ahmad was unanimously elected Speaker. Since assumption, Kwara State House of Assembly has been at the front burner compared to other State Assemblies in Nigeria. The quality of legislation under his leadership has endeared kwarans and Nigerians at large to the activities of the House.
They ensured that legislative interventions stimulated economic transformation as legislative assignments were carried out with thoroughness and dedication, robust public hearings on bills and other salient issues were fast tracked while laws were enacted geared towards addressing security challenges and promote good governance in the state.
8th Assembly has set the standard with the passage of 45 bills into laws in the last four years, a feat which has not been recorded before in the history of legislature in Kwara State. These bills are channeled towards improving healthcare delivery system; security challenges, promotes transparency, accountability and improves the wellbeing of the citizenry.
Unlike the norms, where lawmakers will await the executive arm to send bills for consideration, the 8th Assembly took it upon herself and set the ball rolling, 13 out of the 45 bills passed so far was sponsored by lawmakers and already becomes operational in the state.
The private members bills passed into law are: People with Disabilities law, Kwara State Health Insurance law, Kwara State Public Procurement Law, Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, Ilorin Township (Prohibition against the Manufacture, Sale and Consumption of Liquor in Certain Areas) Law, Kwara State Prohibition of Dealing with Human Parts Law.
Others include; Kwara State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, International Aviation College, Ilorin Law, Governor and Deputy Governor (Payment of Pension)(Amendment) Law, Kwara State House of Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Law, Kwara State Legislative Funds Management Law, Kwara United Management Corporation Law, Kwara State Freedom of Information Bill.
Notable among the private members bills that draw accolades is the passages of the Bill to suspend payment of pension to Former Governors and Deputy Governors was first of its kind from any State Assemblies, the Bill prohibiting unlawful dealing in human parts, the bill to protect the rights of physically challenged persons in the state, the bill to make healthcare affordable and accessible throughout the state, the bill to make public record and information more freely available, to mention but a few. State Assemblies have been visiting to understudy some of the newly introduced legislations that have put the Kwara Assembly ahead of others.
The House has been described as the house of the people and voice of the voiceless by Labour unions, student bodies and people with special needs. The remarkable achievements of this administration owe largely to the legislative activities of the House which has help to provide the enabling environment.
No doubt Kwara State House of Assembly is taking the lead as the State with the highest number of private member bills passed into law, this is indeed another feat recorded and a standard for those coming behind to surpass.
Abdullahi is an aide to the speaker and writes from Ilorin via: [email protected]
