Written By Goke Butikakuro
Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam has said that with good legislation and proper oversight functions, lawmaking stands to be a veritable tools for economic development.
Delivering a paper at the special lecture organized by Equity and Justice Chamber of the law faculty, Osun State University, Speaker Salaam represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Goke Butika, asserted that any state that witnesses development is as a result of progressive parliament of the state; noting that where lawmakers are cutting with actors of other branches and arms of government, the development through budgetary provisions and execution of physical structure would be the casualties.
Lauding the lawmakers in Osun, Speaker Salaam said the parliament under his watch in the last six years has placed premium on the development of the state, making it repealing some laws that constituted barriers and replacing them with laws that guarantee accountability and ease of doing business in the state.
He disclosed, "I recall when I took the mantle of leadership of the House in this state, I was under pressure to outdo my predecessors in terms of laws to be passed, but I took to a caveat that only laws that would engender development must pass; with God on our side, my colleagues were brought into the loop, they saw reason with me and we jointly made up our mind that we would use the legislative instrument with difference. Lo and behold, our effort has brought unprecedented development to the state in terms of infrastructure- on roads, bridges, school buildings and so on".
Speaking on how the people should hold their lawmakers responsible for their actions and inaction, Speaker Salaam stressed that people should put pressure on their representatives to stand before them at town-hall meetings with a view to explaining his effort to better their lots, instead of waiting until such a representative comes around to distribute gift items, which is not part of his core functions.
He further urged the people not to sleep on their rights to know how they are being governed, reiterating that the retrogressive culture of waiting for the politicians to bring money or any form of inducement before they vote for him or her would reduce the significance of their franchise to common denominator.
Speaker then urged student bodies and youth groups against honoring the money bags with reactionary tendencies, saying the way and manner people of questionable characters and non-performing politicians were being celebrated with frivolous awards would further emboldened them to further deprived the society services expected of them to rendered.
I urge you to participate in how your affair is being conducted by the politicians through community organizing and Voter's education. Be part of the people who would knock the door to educate people on how to interrogate issues with politicians instead of demanding money. Also, retrace your step from dishing frivolous awards to politicians who have no merit to be honoured, and learn how to apply your studies to economic independence.
Signed:
Goke Butika
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker
State of Osun House of Assembly.