27th May, 2011
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji ,on Thursday said that the habit of lateness to plenary sessions by legislators in the parliament would be corrected.
Ikuforiji said this why responding to a speech by the Clerk of the House, Mr. Adewale Olatunji, on lateness at an induction programme for the newly elected lawmakers in Lagos.
“It is clear we have to change that attitude.
“We will not allow the virus that plagued the 6th Assembly to come into the 7th Assembly as far as lateness is concerned,” he said.
The Speaker commended the new lawmakers for being punctual at the programme and criticise some of the returning lawmakers for lateness.
Olatunji had in his address advised the new lawmakers not to copy the habit and charged the lawmakers on punctuality in the next dispensation.
“Judging from past experience, our attitude to punctuality would continue to be an albatross if not improved upon.
“A situation where daily sittings scheduled for 12 noon would not start until 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. and sometimes 6 p.m. does not speak well of us.
“It is hoped that the 7th Assembly would take the issue of punctuality seriously, “ he said.
He explained that punctuality at the sessions would enable lawmakers to attend to other private or official matters and allow the staff to prepare for next day’s duty.
He suggested that the rules of the House should be reviewed to “indicate the time a sitting would end.â€
He urged the new lawmakers to declare their assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau as a requirement for them to be sworn into office.