…says new laws affirm administration’s commitment to equal opportunity for development
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi on Friday signed the Judiciary Funds Management and the Legislative Fund Management laws, 2021 and four others to laws, aimed at ensuring good governance and sustainable development in the state.
The four other laws signed at a brief event at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti were: the Local Development Council Area (LCDA) law, 2021; Ekiti State Office of Attorney General law, 2021; Ekiti State Consumer Protection law, 2021 and Ekiti State Economic Development Council Law.
Speaking during the event, Dr Fayemi said the six laws affirmed the commitment of his administration to good governance, transparency, fair and equal opportunity for development by all communities in the State.
The governor explained that the Judiciary and Legislative Management laws would enable the three arms of government to constantly interface on how best to manage the state financial resources in meeting the evolving needs of the people of the State.
“These bills are proposed in furtherance of the Memorandum of Action and the implementation of the financial autonomy for the State legislature and judiciary, which was jointly signed by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers and the National Judicial Council among others on May 20, 2021.
“The enactment of these Bills into law will codify existing arrangements between the three arms of government on revenue allocation. It will enhance the vision of my administration for a self- sustaining three arms of government that work as equals even if separately for the delivery of good governance to the people of Ekiti State.”
On the law that supports the creation of additional 19 LCDAs, the Governor stressed the need for beneficiary communities to support and partner the government in successful implementation of the law as it moves to formalise the institutional delivery of the LCDAs.
The Attorney General bill according to him would guarantee the sustainability of government’s interventions and investments in the justice system and also ensure equitable accessibility and dispensation of justice to all and sundry.
“The Consumer Protection law will promote and protect the rights of consumers in Ekiti State. It is noteworthy that the law provides a framework for aggrieved citizens to seek redress against unfair trade practices and the unscrupulous exploitation of consumers.
“The sixth bill on the Economic Development Council seeks to facilitate economic growth and business competitiveness in Ekiti State by establishing Economic development council that would promote partnership and collaboration between public and private sector,” he said.
The Governor thanked the State House of Assembly and the Judiciary for what he described as “constructive partnership” between the three arms of government that led to the enactment of the laws.
“I commend members of the House of Assembly for the vigour with which they have set about the task of law making.”
Earlier in his address, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, represented by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan, said the bills were in fulfilment of the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the State.
He maintained that the legislative Fund management bill and judiciary fund management bill would further deepen democracy and entrench the principle of separation of power among the three arms of Government.
Present at the signing of the laws were the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye; Chairman Ekiti State Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon Amire Kolade; members of the state house of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council and chairmen of some Local Governments in the State.
Last modified: August 7, 2021
