The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his team have been commended for their efforts at fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
The state House of Assembly, which handed down the commendation to the governor and his team, described their efforts as ‘worthwhile’.
In a statement signed by the chiatman of the House Committee on Information, Security and Strategy, Hon Tunde Braimoh, the House further commended the executive arm of the Lagos State government for its cooperation and unity of purpose; adding that at this period of a major health crisis, it could only take a passionate person like Sanwo-Olu, with the needed support of the state’s lawmakers, to keep things running.
Braimoh added that this support had necessitated the enactment of the
Coronavirus Pandemic Emergency Law, 2020, by the Lagos Assembly, with the sole aim of giving the governor the powers to carry out some functions in this case.
While discrediting the report in some sections of the media, that it had asked Governor Sanwo-Olu to account for the COVID-19 funds donated to the state by kind individuals and organisations, the House said that it was yet to conclud on the report of its Committee on Health concerning observations raised by the executive in relation to the bill, adding that it had only debated some of the issues raised.
The statement added, “There were no conclusions or decisions reached by the lawmakers at the sitting on Thursday, May 7, 2020.”
Hon. Braimoh also said that the House never particularly asked the governor to start accounting for the donations as reported, especially at a time when the challenge is still being tackled.
He added, “The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, had, during the sitting, explained that the governor cannot be invited by a Committee in the event of the need for clarifications post-COVID-19 pandemic.
“He thus opined that to avoid a sort of friction between the legislature and the executive, the position of a co-chairman should be introduced in the bill.
“Looking at the situation at hand where it might be difficult to follow every letter of the constitution, there is the need for us to set aside a fund for the governor to expend in this situation, Speaker Obasa had said.”
The statement added, “It is noteworthy that the bill grants the governor some powers which eases his access to funds for the emergency situation.
“It also gives him power to make proclamations where necessary.”
