Ondo Assembly Resumes Sittings, passes two Key bills through second reading
By Awodeyi Elizabeth
The Ondo State House of Assembly has considered and passed two bills through second reading during plenary sitting presided over by the Speaker, Chief Olamide Oladij on Friday.
The bills are A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Establishment of the Ondo State Honours Roll and Merit Awards and A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Establishment of the Ondo State Competition and Consumer Protection Agency.
Following their second reading, the Honours Roll and Merit Awards Bill was committed to the House Committee on Government House and Protocol, while the Competition and Consumer Protection Agency Bill was referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Industry for further legislative consideration.
Earlier, the House Leader, Chief Olatunji Oshati, moved the motion for the bills to be read a second time and committed to the committee stage. The motion was seconded by Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi and Chris Ayebusiwa respectively.
The Speaker of the House, Chief Olamide Oladiji, also constituted a five-member ad-hoc committee chaired by by the Debuty Chief Whip,Japhet Oluwatoyin to examine petitions written to the House against some local government councils.
Oladiji said the committee was set up following extensive deliberations at a parliamentary meeting and would carefully examine all matters referred to it to prevent possible escalation of issues.
Meanwhile, the House has resumed plenary sitting after the Christmas and New Year recess, with the Speaker urging lawmakers to prioritise governance and legislative duties despite the build-up to elections.
Oladiji welcomed members back and expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to reconvene for the year’s first working plenary.
He noted that the recess allowed lawmakers to engage with their constituents and reflect on legislative responsibilities, stressing that the House must now focus on meeting public expectations in the first quarter of the year.
According to the Speaker, all legislative and law-making processes must be given priority in the interest of peace, honour and good governance in Ondo State.
Oladiji commended the Executive arm of government, led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for its continued support of the legislature and expressed confidence that the existing cordial relationship among the arms of government would be sustained.
He also drew attention to the forthcoming general elections, calling on stakeholders to ensure peaceful and credible polls.
The Speaker cautioned lawmakers seeking re-election or aspiring to higher offices not to allow political activities to distract them from their core legislative functions of representation, oversight and lawmaking.
He urged members to build on the achievements of the 10th Assembly and work collectively to address emerging legislative challenges, adding that the expectations of the electorate for effective representation and tangible dividends of democracy remain high.
COMMENTS