Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State on Monday signed five bills into law, restating the commitment of his administration to applying the legislative framework to strengthen the institution of governance in the state, Ekiti News reports.
The Governor, during the signing of recently passed laws by the State House of Assembly at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s office, reiterated his administration’s dedication to quality legislative framework and strong institutions to make government programmes and policies enduring legacies to bequeath on the people of the state.
Governor Oyebanji assured the people of the state that his administration would not relent at ensuring that laws made for the common good of the people were implemented swiftly to impact service delivery in the State.
He said “It has been my practice to acknowledge the smooth working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. In the Constitutional system, the Legislature provides checks and balances on the Executive, but it must also be a source of creative, responsible leadership, for in the end, work must be done and progress must be made.
“I must commend Mr. Speaker and the members of the 7th Assembly for your unwavering commitment and dedication to Ekiti project. The synergy is very heartwarming and our people are the major beneficiaries in terms of good governance and impactful service delivery.
“I am aware that the shared prosperity mantra of our Administration resonates with the Legislative agenda of the 7th Assembly which is keeping Ekiti working towards shared prosperity through responsive legislation. The Honourable Members are stakeholders in the transformation of the State with the need for collaborative efforts to make poverty history in the State.
“Our government will continue to accord desired priority to the Laws and Resolutions passed in the House. This informed my decision to assent to these Laws, three of which are Private Member bills from the House. We will be relentless at ensuring that these Laws are implemented to impact velocity into service delivery in the State.”
The new laws are:
1) The Ekiti State Regulation Approval law.
2) Ekiti State Environmental Protection and Watershed Management Agency Law.
3)Ekiti State Bureau of Asset Management Law.
4) Ekiti State Local Content (First Amendment) Law.
5) Ekiti State Legislative (powers and privileges) Law.
Governor Oyebanji said Ekiti State Environmental Protection and Watershed Management Agency Law, 2024 was part of government agenda to provide friendly environment for her citizens, through protection of its waters and the environment. The government is committed to environmental protection and management, erosion prevention and control, watershed and catchment management through public enlightenment.
The Governor added that the law would provide framework for coordinating inter-sectorial activities towards environmental protection and management, erosion prevention, watershed management, mining and other ecological issues in the State as well as ensure and enforce adequate environmental standards for the State.
He also stated the benefits of Ekiti State Bureau of Asset Management Law, 2024 to include management, optimization and maintenance of state-owned assets, provide for the preservation and maintenance of new and existing assets owned by the State Government and also develop a framework to guide the management and use of government assets.
The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeoye Aribasoye in his remarks, said that the bills were testament to the unwavering commitment of the House of Assembly to advancing the shared prosperity mantra of the oyebanji led-administration.
Rt. Hon. Aribasoye maintained that the bill was carefully crafted to promote development, progress and prosperity of Ekiti people adding that the bills represent the collective dedication to good governance and environmental sustainability and the promotion of local content within the development agenda of the state.
The speaker while commending the Governor for his purposeful leadership, policies of accommodation and his clear understanding of the tenent of the separation of powers, assured the people of the state that the House would continue to collaborate with the executive arms of government to ensure that dividends of democracy reach nooks and crannies of the state.
The Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs. Monisade Afuye, and the Speaker of the EKHA, Rt Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, accompanied by other honorable members of the House were present at the event.