Mr Mudashiru Obasa,  reelected Speaker, Lagos State 10th House of Assembly, says the newly inaugurated assembly will not tolerate executive interference.

Obasa (APC-Agege I) made this known  in  his acceptance speech to mark the beginning of the 10th assembly at its complex in Lagos on Tuesday.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had made proclamation of the 10th assembly which marks commencement of the beginning of the legislative arms of government.

Obasa was subsequently reelected for the third term as the speaker of the assembly while Mrs Mojisola Meranda was elected as the Deputy speaker.

Obasa said the legislature must be allowed to operate independently, especially in line with Section 101 of the Constitution.

The speaker said the sanctity of the legislature as an independent body was adequately provided for in the Constitution in accordance with the principles of Separation of Powers.

“In this regard, no other arm of government is allowed or permitted to interfere with the functioning and independence of the legislature in a manner that will make legislature become subservient or subordinate.

“It must be underlined that in any constitutional democracy, the legislature must be allowed to operate independently.

“This is especially in line with  Section 101 of the Constitution which confers on it the power to regulate itself, without violation,” he said.

Obasa said that  to improve the legislature and establish good governance,  the lawmakers must be steadfast and remove any and all obstacles in their path, saying that he had faith that they would succeed.

He, however,  said assembly would sustain its cordial relationship and robust cooperation with the executive arm of government.

However, Obasa stated  clearly that the 10th assembly would not compromise the sanctity of its institutional independence and constitutional roles.

The speaker further said he expected that resolutions passed by the house would be given favourable considerations just like bills passed by the house.

The speaker urged Nigerians to embrace the removal of fuel subsidy  as it had a lasting positive effect on the country.

He said Nigerians should take a cue from the introduction of the mobile communications networks in Nigeria years ago and how they were beyond the reach of many citizens, saying that today, mobile phones were everywhere and calls were cheaper.

The speaker said the lawmakers must prioritise the welfare of their constituents and ensure that the policies and legislative framework were geared toward meeting their needs.

He said under his leadership, the house would operate an open and inclusive administration where all members were carried along and given equal opportunity to contribute toward the development of the state.

The speaker pledged his commitment to serve the house with humility, honesty, and dedication, saying that together they would  leave a legacy of excellence that generations yet unborn would be proud of. (NAN)

The House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on the state of refineries in the country, says after spending N11.349 trillion to rehabilitate the nation’s refineries, it discovered duplication of projects and double payments.

This is sequel to the report of the Committee, chaired by Rep.

In its recommendation, the committee said, drawing from observations and findings, the committee established that the state of refineries in the country from 2010-2020 was comatose.

The committee said the refineries were non-functional, unproductive and wasteful, adding that it could not ascertain the actual cost of rehabilitating the Nigerian refineries within the periods.

The committee said that obvious omissions were noted in the submissions made by the NNPC, adding that there were seeming duplication of projects and possible double payments.

The committee noted that total estimated cost of rehabilitating the Nigerian refineries may be put at ₦11,349,583,186,313.40, adding that other additional actual costs reported in foreign currencies were to the tune of US$ 592,976,050.00 and £4,877,068.47 and £3,455,656.93.

In its recommendation, the committee said that the NNPCL should take full advantage of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, passed by the National Assembly, to fast track the rehabilitation programme of the refineries.

It further said that the NNPCL and the contractor, Tecnimont SPA of Italy, be urged to ensure that phase Olone of the rehabilitation works in refinery area five of the Old Port Harcourt refinery.

This, the committee said, was with the processing capacity of 60,000 barrels per day earlier expected to be restored to 54,000 barrels per day of processing capacity, representing 90 per cent capacity utilization by March, 2023.

The committee said this should unfailingly meet the new target date of Sept. 2023, adding that the NNPCL and the contractor be further urged to ensure that phase two of the rehabilitation works in refinery areas 1 and 2 of the New Port Harcourt Refinery (NPHR).

This, according to the committee, should be with an installed capacity of 150,000 Barrels per Day, restored to the estimated processing capacity of 135,000 Barrels per day, representing 90 per cent capacity utilization.

This is to deliver a combined processing capacity of 189,000 barrels per day from the OPHR and the NPHR and achieve the targeted date of December 2023, among other recommendations.(NAN)

Mr Adeoye Aribasoyo (APC- Ikole 2), has been elected as the speaker of the 7^th assembly of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

Aribasoyo was elected shortly after proclamation of the 7^th assembly by the clerk of the house, Mr Tola Esan in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

The speaker was unanimously elected after he was nominated by Mr Femi Akindele (APC-Irepodun Ifelodun Constituency 1).

Mrs Bolaji Olagbaju (APC- Ado 2) was also elected as the deputy speaker.

Olagbaju was the daughter of the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, late Bisi Egbeyemi.

Speaking with newsmen, the speaker said the 7th Assembly would ensure that the people of the state enjoyed dividends of democracy.

Aribasoyo said the assembly was ready to work for the betterment of the people of the state.

“We will be futuristic in our approach and worked tirelessly, performing our major roles for the betterment of our people.

“We are ready to offer selfless service to our dear state, we are fully prepared. I am using we because it is not going to be a one man’s show, we are going to work collectively with my colleagues.

“I see the light shining in Ekiti State because  the 7th assembly will bring about meaningful impacts to the lives of the people of our dear state.

“The 7th assembly will join hands with all stakeholders  to take the state to the height that we desired,” Aribasoyo said.(NAN)