10 hours ago
2
Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, the Director, Democracy and Governance, National Institute Legislative and Democratic Studies, Professor Adewale Aderemi, Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mrs Taiwo Akintola, and other critical stakeholders in the legislative arm of government have harped on impactful legislation, describing it as tool for sustenance of the democracy.
They submitted that it is not the number of the bills passed into law but its impact on the people.
This was their submission at a 2-day Training and Validation Workshop to Institutionalize PLS in the Oyo State House of Assembly organized by NILDS in partnership with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the Oyo State House of Assembly in Ibadan.
Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin submitted that the introduction and adoption of Post Legislative Scrutiny, (PLS) would shape the art of legislation at various levels of the Assembly as well as enhance sustenance of democracy.
He says, “The introduction of PLS into our legislative framework is a testament to our commitment to deepening democracy, fostering inclusiveness, and ensuring that the voices of the people we serve resonate in the decisions that shape their lives.
“This approach not only strengthens legislative processes but also builds trust and collaboration between lawmakers and constituents.
“This workshop will provide an invaluable platform for us to equip ourselves with the skills, knowledge, and strategies necessary to implement PLS effectively. By doing so, we affirm our collective dedication to transparency, accountability, and citizen-centered governance’
In his address, Professor Aderemi described PLS as a legislative procedure that is an oversight function of Post monitoring and evaluating laws that have been passed and whether they are working as intended.
He explained further that legislation passed laws on daily basis but how impactful are those laws?
According to him, “Most of the bills presented and passed at the various levels of the Assembly were establishment bills rather than review or amendment bills with meaningful impact on the lives of the people. This development is worrisome.
“It is the impact of the laws on the people that democracy is meant.. it is good to pass bills into laws but the question is, how impactful are such laws on the lives of the people?
“The number of bills passed should not be a yardstick to assess the performance of either the National or House of Assembly but its impact on the lives of the people.
In her presentation, the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mrs Taiwo submitted that institutionalizing PLS would enhance the quality of legislative outputs as well solidify public confidence in the legislature as a vital arm of government.
According to her, “Through scrutiny enabled by PLS, we can identify gaps, propose amendments, and hold implementing agencies accountable. This process creates a feedback channel that fosters accountability, transparency, and evidence-based decision-making.
“PLS is a global best practice, and its institutionalization will position the Oyo State House of Assembly as a pacesetter in legislative innovation in Nigeria. In an era where governance challenges are becoming increasingly complex and multifaceted, PLS offers us a way to ensure that our legislative efforts directly and positively impact the lives of our people.
“Aside its legislative benefits, PLS also has profound implications for good governance. It reinforces the principle that governance is a continuous process of evaluation and improvement”
“With the framework of assessing the outcomes of our laws, enabled by PLS, there will be relentless commitment to accountability and inclusivity. This not only strengthens the bond between the government and the governed but also ensures that public resources are used effectively and efficiently. In this way, PLS becomes a powerful tool for building trust and fostering development”
In his presentation, the Country Director of Westminster, Adebowale Olorunmola said the PLS would strengthen the nation’s democratic rule.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
