Falana, Groups Call On Lagos Assembly on Law Reform

By Felix Kuyinu

The Committee for the De­fence Of Human Rights (CDHR), has held a forum calling for a reform in the implementation and enactment of laws in Lagos State.

CDHR in collaboration with the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, called on the Lagos House of Assembly to ensure continuous effects regrading the human and socio economic rights of residents in the state.

The groups gave the counsel at the event with the theme, ‘’Law Making in Lagos State: Im­plications and Effects on Human and Socio-economic Rights of the People’ held on Thursday at Ikeja, Lagos.

CDHR President, Debo Adeniran, stressed that the event was the second edition of the Citizens Accountability and Rights Forum (CARF) of the groups.

Adeniran who doubles as CACOL Chairman revealed the motive behind the event, it’s focus, the idea behind the group’s set up and it’s objectives. He said, “Today’s event is a bold step in CDHR and CACOL’s commitment to contribute to creating a peace­ful atmosphere between the people on the demand side of governance in Lagos State and those on the supply side.

“This platform was organ­ised to create an avenue where the implementers and the ben­eficiaries of various govern­ment policies would come to­gether to explain, elucidate and expatiate on areas of concern for the citizenry with a view to harmonizing different opinions on policies that are being im­plemented in the state.

“This event provides a forum for healthy exchanges of ideas so that the areas of friction be­tween the government and the governed would be drastically reduced if not totally eliminat­ed because the people would have sense of belonging and the government would have the opportunity of listening to the people and explaining their po­sitions on diverse policy issues that may crop up at a particular time. This will definitely bring about a harmonious relation­ship between the government and the governed.

“In today’s event, our focus would be on the law making in Lagos State as it affects the so­cio-economic lives of the people of the state. It would be highly impossible to discuss this im­portant topic without the aid of the Number One lawmak­er in the state in the person of Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

“He would be doing justice to the various angles of the law making process in the state. We are very honoured to have him in our midst despite his very tight schedules.

“The idea of focusing on the state government’s policies and activities and gathering people to discuss it, is anchored on our determination to ensure that the common man on the street is not short changed by govern­ment policies and encourage an all-embracing, all-inclusive im­plementation of government’s policies so as to enhance the so­cio-economic wellbeing of the people of the state.”

Activist, Femi Falana (SAN), who had an entourage of lawyers at the event told Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, that the Public Com­plaints Committee of the Lagos House of Assembly needs be strengthened.

Falana noted that the House, in it’s 9th Legislative Assembly became the first of all state’s in the country to pass a Human Rights Com­mittee Bill, which was the product of the ENDSARS pro­test but somehow, it remains unsigned by the governor.

While urging the House to represent the Bill and get it signed. He said: “Nigerians are going through bitter experienc­es. Nigerians are beaten merci­lessly on the streets on a daily basis. The committee when es­tablished will make life more meaningful to the people.”

Falana also reminisced that the La­gos House of Assembly passed the Anti-Corruption Agency Bill and it was signed into law, but the date for the agency has not been established by the govern­ment while a lot of money that should go into projects is being looted.

He, therefore, urged the House of Assembly to call on the government to set up the anti-corruption agency. He also told the legislators to initiate the reform of the cus­tomary court system in Lagos.

Obasa, represented by the Chairman, House Commitee on Information and Strategy, Hon. Stephen Olukayode Ogundipe, commented highly on the idea of convening the event as it has become necessary for a regular public forum for public officers to give account for their stewardship which can be done properly through administering of laws and ensuring adherence to it.

The Speaker, reflecting on the implications and effects of lawmaking on human and socio-economic rights disclosed that laws enacted by the state government have far-reaching implications on the lives of its people, influenc­ing their human rights, quali­ty of life, and socio-economic well-being.

Obasa stressed that Lagos is the economic nerve-centre of Ni­geria, being the home to 10% of the population of Nigeria, making significant contribu­tions to the nation’s economy, contributing 30% to Nigeria’s GDP.

“This remarkable achieve­ment is not by chance, but a product of robust legislation and executive oversight by the Lagos Assembly.,” he added.

“The progress, order­liness and protection of rights and welfare of the residents in the state is paramount and taken keenly. We make sure that bills are crafted constitutionally and passed into laws for the benefit of Lagosians.

“These bills include the Lagos State Trans­port Sector Reform Law to check incessant traffic conges­tion and disturbance which af­fect businesses and health of the citizenry. Also, there is the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency Law, established under the Transport Sector Reform Law to, among other functions, reg­ulate and decongest traffic on the road; and ameliorate the sufferings being caused by traf­fic congestion.

“These laws have brought great improvement to the socio-economic develop­ment of the state and has aid­ed seamless commercial activ­ities, reducing man-hour loss caused by traffic congestion.

“There is also the Lagos State Domestic Staff Service Provider Registration Law meant to protect and promote human and socio-economic rights of Nigerians working as domestic staff in the state”.

Obasa retreated that the Assembly will continue to do all that is necessary in making sure protection of lives and properties are put in place for the benefit of all.