Part-time legislature will reduce cost of governance ― Ogun Speaker

Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo has renewed the call for part-time legislature saying it would reduce the cost of governance in the country.

Oluomo made this call in an interview in Abeokuta, the state capital, said the constitution of the federal republic should be amended to allow legislators to run their other businesses aside farming.

He explained that a situation where a lawmaker, who had a thriving business before becoming a legislator could only be allowed to practice farming alongside law-making would require corresponding compensation for the financial loss he might incur from such business.

Oluomo stated that he still wants to practice his vocation, run his business even as the presiding officer of the state assembly.

The speaker said the constitution should be amended to allow lawmakers remain on their jobs/businesses and devote a particular period of the year to do appropriation and other oversight functions adding that lawmakers should be renumerated only for the time they spent making laws.

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According to him, such part-time legislature as being practised in the United States would help reduce the cost of governance.

“I want a situation which will allow me to practice my vocation, do my business and still be a legislator on a part-time basis.”

The Speaker who assured that the 9th legislature would encourage the executive arm to implement laws against land grabbing and terrorism for the promotion of peace and tranquillity in the state.

He said the assembly would also partner the executive arm to ensure that the Security Trust Fund is restructured to provide effective security network for the protection of lives and property.

Oluomo said the recent suspension of the Chairmen of Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in the state by the 8th Assembly, was taken to allow an unhindered investigation into the various allegations of financial impropriety, abuse of powers and inefficiency levelled against some of the Chairmen.

He added that the investigation would include the viability or otherwise of the 37 LCDAs, saying there was a need to implement financial autonomy for the local government, the judiciary and the legislature to further strengthen democracy in the country.