Lagos State Public Procurement Agency Law, CAP L56 and a Bill for a Law to provide for the prohibition of unlawful societies and cultism in Lagos State have scaled through its second reading in the Lagos Assembly.
It would be recalled that the Bills had earlier passed through their first reading on Monday, 27th July, 2020.
The Bills are meant to tackle the menace of cultism and related societies and to fortify the procurement process in the State.
During the considerations of the amendment sections on the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency Law; Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, noted that the amendment served as a welcome development which will make the procurement process in the State seamless and easier without compromising its accountability and transparency.
Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader added that the amendment of the Bill will strengthen Public Procurement Law of the State and guarantee that contracts and services are delivered as specified in the contractual agreement as well as prevent abandoned projects in the State.
Furthermore, the Lawmakers also deliberated on the amendment sections on a Bill for a Law to provide for the prohibition of unlawful societies and cultism; Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, the Deputy Speaker observed that cultism is a threat to the peaceful co-existence in the State and the amendments of the section will address those threats.
Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, noted that investigations should be conducted on suspected students in higher institutions before rustication, as an outspoken student could be mistaken for a cultist and any suspected persons if not found guilty cannot be punished.
Hon. Desmond Elliot, in a bid to offer solutions to cultism menace, opined that rehabilitation centers should be established to re-integrate convicted cultists into the society.
Consequently, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the House committed the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (Amendment) Law to the House Committee on Public Procurement to review the discussed amendment sections, and report back to the House in two weeks.
Also at the Sitting, the amendment of a Bill for a Law to provide for the prohibition of Unlawful Societies and Cultism in Lagos State was also committed to the House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions & LASIEC to report back to the House in three weeks.
In another development, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa constituted a 7-Man Ad Hoc Committee to look into Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, LAHASCOM (Amendment) Bill to report back to the House in a week. The Ad Hoc Committee is to be chaired by the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams.
Other Members of the committee are, Hon. Setonji David, Hon. Desmond Elliot, Hon. Olayiwola Abdul-Sobur, Hon. Rasheed Makinde, Hon. Victor Akande and Hon. Ajani Owolabi.
The House adjourned to the 17th August, 2020.
