Lagos state lawmakers summon Commissioner over controversial contract award

The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Omotayo Bamgbose Martins over alleged disregard for due process, which bothers on alleged role award of contract between the Ministry and Urban Development as well as the office of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) without recourse to law.

Penpushing reports that a statement by Eromosele Ebhomele, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, added that also summoned are the Special Adviser on Public Private Partnership, Mr. Ope George, and ENL NOVAL, the benefiting contract firm.

The statement added that the  over what the lawmakers equally  directed that all such agreements and contracts by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development without regards to the law be put on hold.

Penpushing further reports that the Chairman of the Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Nureni Akinsanya,  raising the issue under Matters of Urgent Public Importance’, cited Section 26 of the PPP Law, which he said was not followed.

“The trend of not passing through the House in PPP agreements needs to be stopped and discouraged and the law of this State, as passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly, must be duly complied with and enforced’, the meeting  said.

Penpushing also reports that the Deputy Speaker Hon Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, who stood in for Speaker Mudashiru Obasa presided over the meeting, and made it mandatory to all invitees to appear before the assembly

The chairman committee on Public Private Partnership at the House, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh in his contributions noted that the committee on Public Private Partnership (PPP) was created by the Speaker to look into all the private partnership agreements entered into in the State.

“I observed in the course of our meetings with the Special Adviser in charge of PPP that a lot of MDAs have not met up with the due process as it involves PPP agreement. Section 8, 9 and 10 are very clear and the House of Assembly is not a rubber stamp. Due process must be followed and agreements should be ratified by the House of Assembly. We need to protect the interest of the State Government as well as that of private investors.”

Penpushing reports that speaking on the issue, Hon. Rotimi Olowo said there was need to determine the financial implications of such contract, while in his own remarks Hon. Temitope Adewale, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, noted that ratification of such agreements by the House is in the interest of people and the State because of unforeseen circumstances that could lead to litigation.

“PPP is a brilliant idea; laws made to direct the process need to be followed. Contracts been signed and not brought before the house for ratification is a flagrant disregard for the rule of law’, Adewale emphasised.

Penpushing further reports that Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon. Abiodun Tobun, noted that the House of Assembly enacted laws to guide procedures and the laws were assented to by the Governor.

The lawmaker pointed out that it was wrong for government to enter into partnership with private organisations without recourse to the legislative House, declaring that it was an aberration

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