Again, Lasun Assures on Passage of Devolution of Power Bill

  •   Says new constitution ready by April

James Emejo in Abuja

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Sulaimon Lasun Yussuff, has also reassured Nigerians that National Assembly will revisit the bill on devolution of power when it returns from recess later in the month.

House Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, had earlier said the legislature would revisit the issue, adding that it was a mistake not to have passed the bill.

The failure of the National Assembly to pass the subject during the recent constitution review exercise had been widely rebuffed by the public, leading to some sectional agitations which appeared to have been doused through painstaking consultations.

However, Lasun who is the Chairman, House Special Ad hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution further promised Nigerians a new constitution before April next year.

Speaking at his hometown in Ilobu when he unveiled his agenda for next year’s Osun State governorship election, he vowed to turn around the fortune of the state if voted into power.

He said: “We did everything possible to ensure that bill on devolution of power sail through but it is unfortunate that Nigerians did not take us serious.”

However, he said the committee still had enough time to revisit the matter, and appealed to Nigerians to give support and cooperation so few minorities who opposed the bill could see reasons why they should support the bill.

He added: “My governorship ambition will aim at turning the state’s fortunes around especially in “moment of crisis’ which its education had found itself. Osun state is in a moment of crisis as its educational sector is also in bad shape and the quality is no longer there.”

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the deputy speaker, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Wole Oladimeji, said he would open up the hinterland for the state’s economic and infrastructural development to thrive.
Lasun said: “When you talk about infrastructural development, you’re talking about economic development and if voted in as the next governor of the state, I’m going to link the two together to make sure that whatever infrastructural provisions we make translate to economic development.

“The infrastructure and economic development will change if given the opportunity to govern the state. “Osun is in a critical position; it must not be left in the hands of charlatans. “If you’re a governor or aspiring to be governor and you say you have 6 points agenda or 9 points agenda, it’s rubbish, I’m very sure of that.

“People talk about infrastructure, infrastructure that is not targeted at economic development is no infrastructure. So, it means at any point in time when you’re talking about infrastructure, you’re talking about economic development.

“Once, you’re not able to link the two, then you don’t know what you’re doing. “For example, if you decide to construct roads, it’s better for you to construct roads where you can take people to farm and for them to be able to bring farm produce outside than to construct roads for those who use its luxury items.”

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