Ikuforiji Inaugurates 21 House Committees

The number of committees in this seventh Assembly is far less than that of the last Assembly in which the House maintained almost 32 standing committees.

In the last dispensation, almost all the lawmakers, apart from the principal officers, chaired at least one committee. The list as announced by the Speaker showed that the juicy committees were reserved for the old lawmakers.

The Committee on Public Accounts (State) is now to be chaired by Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla from Mushin Constituency 2; the Committee on Public Account (Local Government) was given to Saka Fafunmi from Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 1, while the Committee on House Services and Special Duties Committee is now to be chaired by Ipoola Omisore, from Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 2.

Furthermore, the Committee on Agriculture and Co-operatives is now to be chaired by Ibrahim Layode from Badagry Constituency 1; Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs was given to Olanrewaju Oshun from Lagos Mainland Constituency 2; Committee on Budget and Economic Planning was given to Mudashiru Obasa from Agege Constituency 1.

Education and Science and Technology Committees have now been merged into one and is to be chaired by the former Chairman on Education, Wahab Alawiye-King from Lagos Island Constituency 2; Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet from Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 2, who chaired Science and Technology in the last Assembly, is now Chairman of the Committee on Establishment and Training while Abiodun Tobun from Epe Constituency 1 is now to chair the Committee on Environment. Finance Committee went to Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, a representative of Mushin Constituency 1 in the House.

Since the two medical doctors in the House are principal office holders, the Health

Services Committee is now to be chaired by Hodewu Avoseh from Badagry Constituency 2; Committee on Home Affairs, Culture, Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations went to Kabir Lawal from Surulere 1.

For the second time, the Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Development went to Babatunde Ayeni, representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 1 while the Committee on Judiciary went to Sanai Agunbiade, a lawyer and representative of Ikorodu Constituency 1.

The Committee on Lands and Housing went to Bayo Oshinowo representing Kosofe Constituency 1; Physical Planning and Urban Development Committee went to Mufutau Egberongbe from Apapa Constituency 1; Transportation, Commerce and Industry Committee went to Bisi Yusuf from Alimosho Constituency 1; Women Affairs Committee went to Omotayo Oduntan from Alimosho Constituency 2 at the House.

The Committee on Works and Infrastructure went to Rotimi Olowo from Shomolu Constituency 1; Energy, Mineral Resources and Waterfront Infrastructure went to Lanre Ogunyemi from Ojo Constituency 2, while Information, Strategy and Public Relations, went to Segun Olulade from Epe Constituency 2.

P.M.NEWS learnt that the decision of the House to reduce the number of standing committees was to avoid duplication of oversight functions and to further cut cost since the state has embarked on austerity measure.

It was further learnt that part of the delay in the setting up of the committees was because the Speaker wanted to ensure that “round pegs actually fit into round holes” and that the committees and their roles were all encompassing.

— Eromosele Ebhomele