On the 4th June, 2019 to be precise, the 7th Assembly of the Kogi State House of Assembly was inaugurated by the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to commence legislative assignment to make laws that will promote good governance for the overall development and well-being of the people of the State with the emergence of Rt. Hon. Prince Matthew Kolawole as the Speaker of the Assembly.
Without mincing words, the Assembly swung into action by electing other Principal Officers to properly constitute the 7th assembly that will be well positioned being a one party house to deliver the goods for the state by collaborating with the Executive, Judiciary and other critical stakeholders to move the state forward.
To get the members acquainted with the knowledge and skills of legislation, the leadership in collaboration with some organizations has organised more than four training seminars and workshops in different areas that will enhance their performance for the overall benefits of the state.
There is no gainsaying that the smooth cordial working relationship with other arms of Government is a deliberate effort of Rt. Hon. Matthew Kolawole to create a rancor-free atmosphere that will encourage steady growth in all sectors in the State.
The Assembly since then commenced legislative business of attending to bills and motions that have direct impact on the social economic development of the State.
Despite the challenges of time occasioned by other activities and the Covid-19 pandemic which is ravaging the world, Nigeria as a country inclusive that has slowed down the pace of work, the 7th assembly has passed several motions and bills into laws prominent among them is the budget estimate of 2020 which was passed in December.
The passage of the revised budget estimates of year 2020 occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic is also another milestone to provide the legal framework to restrategize for the economic reality aside other bills initiated by the Executive and members that are at various stages of legislations.
The passage of the 21 Local Government proposed budget estimates for the 2020 is not left out.
The screening and approval of state officers which includes members of statutory boards, commissions, agencies and Honourable Commissioners that have contributed in no small measure in the management of the state, e.g Hajj Commission, Judiciary Service Commission, Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, etc.
In his personal capacity, the Speaker has been able to secure benefitting jobs for more than 15 constituents in different MDAs at both state and national level aside the fact that he gave over 30 people political appointments as his aides.
Currently, in collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), over 220 youths are undergoing training in different skills that will make them self independent, asides those on scholarship.
He has also identified with the people by reaching out to them in their trying moment of the lockdown by distributing relief packages like food stuffs to the elderly in the Constituency.
While the ongoing construction of the Cottage hospitals in Gbeleko, Kabba and Aiyede – Bunu will be given attention for the projects to be completed in record time.
– Femi Olugbemi, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, writes from Lokoja.
