Bill Seeking to Curb Financial Recklessness in Oyo Scales through Second Reading

A bill seeking to establish the Oyo State Audit Commission has passed through the first and second reading at the Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday.


The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly; Hon Adebo Ogundoyin who presided over the plenary stated that the bill is an attempt to curb financial recklessness and block loopholes within the state economy and equally see to the Auditing of Public Accounts at the State and Local Governments.


Apart from establishing the Oyo State Audit Commission, the “Oyo State Audit Bill, 2021” will also regulate the appointment, conditions of service, functions, and powers of the Auditor General of the State and Local Governments.


As a result, the bill has been forwarded to the Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts, Finance, and Appropriation for further examination and discussion.

The bill, according to the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Akeem Mustapha (representing Kajola state constituency), is intended to empower the Auditor General and others to maintain checks and balances on government spending at both the state and local levels. The Oyo State Audit Bill of 2021, he claims, will make the Auditor General’s office autonomous.


During his speech, Hon Seyi Adisa (Afijio) stated that if the law is passed, it will ensure that government spending is audited on a regular and frequent basis.


According to him, the bill examines the Auditor General’s functions to improve performance.


Similarly, a bill to amend the Mineral Development Agency Law, 2013 also passed through the second reading at the plenary. The bill’s purpose, according to Hon Julius Okedoyin (Saki West), is to ensure that miners’ activities in Oyo State are more regulated.


Other Lawmakers Hon Asimiyu Alarape (Atiba), Hon Isiaka Kazeem Tunde (Oyo East/West), Hon Babajide Gabriel (Ib. North 2), Hon Kazeem Olayanju (Irepo/Olohunsogo), and Hon Seyi Adisa (Afijio) agreed that though Mining is in the Exclusive Legislative List of the Federal Government, the bill will ensure that certain benefits accrue to both the State and the host communities from Miners operating in the State.

According to the legislators, if the bill is revised, all miners in the state will be required to register with the State Mineral Development Agency.

For further consideration, the measure was forwarded to the House Committee on Solid Minerals.