JDMPC Trains Osun Lawmakers On Effective Service Delivery, Public Accountability

By Grace Isaac, Osogbo

In a bid to enhance effective performance of their oversight functions, lawmakers in the 8th Osun House of Assembly yesterday, attended a training to build their capacity on public accountability.

The two-day training is organised by a faith-based non governmental organization, Justice Development and Peace Makers Centre (JDMPC), Osogbo.

The facilitator of the training, Dr Tunji Ogunyemi, an Economist Historian and Public Affairs Analyst, explained that accountability means being assessable, rendering accounts and surrendering to auditing.

He also provided the legal framework, duties and responsibilities of lawmakers in holding various organs of government accountable, just as he stressed how important it was for the lawmakers to also give account of their actions.

Speaking on the topic: “Financial Regulations of Nigeria: a guild to legislators on Fiscal Autonomy’, stressed that autonomy is needed for the state house of Assembly in doing their work so that the honour and integrity of the house will be guaranteed and ensured.

He said ” Our discussion is based on Financial autonomy that has to do with the state house of assembly.

“We presented to the members of the house the enabling tactics and the constitution provision and imperative of fiscal autonomy for State House of Assembly.

“We established that autonomy is needed for state house of assembly to do their work in such a way that the honour and integrity of the house will be guaranteed and ensured. And for the purpose of separation of powers since the house must not be seen in any way whatsoever as acting only as a mouth piece of the executive.

He further said: “The house should be independent enough to be able to directs it affairs such that its finances are not subjected to bonds releases.

In his welcome address, Rev. Fr Peter Akinkunmi, the General Coordinator, JDMPC Osogbo, said that the training was aimed at building the capacity of the lawmakers to audit public expenditure.

Akinwunmi also said that it was symbolic that there had been no violence before and after the election of the lawmakers, which according to him was unusual in the history of the state.

He said that what makes it more interesting was the fact that majority of the lawmakers were first timers in the legislature.

Akinkunmi, thereafter, praised the lawmakers for creating time to attend the two-day programme.

Also , the Speaker house of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun praised JDMPC for organizing the training for the lawmakers, just as he appreciated the lecturer, Dr Tunji Ogunyemi, for the wonderful lecture.

He commended the staff of the house for their supports towards the programme, saying they have gained a lot from the training.

“I’m sure by now they(lawmakers ) have gained one or two things we have been imparted at least we are loaded and we will look forward to more of this training,” he concluded.

Among the topics of discission at the training include: Democracy, Status/ act to be mindful of Security, legal framework for public accountability, legislative powers and privileges, code of conduct for public offices, among others.