Lagos Assembly set to hold town hall meetings in 40 constituencies

The Lagos State House of Assembly, Thursday, announced that its members would hold town hall meetings across the state’s 40 constituencies on Tuesday.

The resolution followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Sanai Agunbiade, during its plenary session.

Agunbiade said that the meeting was necessary to further educate the constituents about what the legislators had been doing since they resumed office.

According to him, it is important to know the needs of their people and educate them about what the legislators were doing.

“It would be good for lawmakers and the constituents to have a good relationship and the people should be better educated about the job of lawmakers.

“People should also know the differences in the workings of the three arms of government such as the executive, the legislature and the judiciary,” he said.

The majority leader said that people who might not have the privilege of making their presentations during the meetings could submit their memoranda at the Assembly on Nov. 11 and November 12.

He said all the reports would be collated and submitted to the authorities for necessary action.

Contributing, Mr Victor Akande (PDP-Ojo I), said the meeting would draw the lawmakers closer to the people for them to know their minds and appreciate what the lawmakers were doing.

Also, Mr Bisi Yusuf (APC-Alimosho I), said, “the move is a good development, it will assist the lawmakers to know what the people want. “

The Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr Olumuyiwa Jimoh (APC-Apapa II), said that the time had come for the lawmakers to go and report back to the people.

“It is an opportunity to tell the people what we can do as legislators.

“I once told my people during one of the town hall meetings I held with them that it is not my job to handle electricity problem.

“We will use the event to educate the people about our job and those of the other two arms of government,“ Jimoh said.

Mr Abiodun Tobun, (APC-Epe 1), said that such step would connect the people with the governor in the long run.

Responding, the Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, said the lawmakers were sent to the house by the people to represent them and that there was need to give them feedback.

`There is need to tell the people about what we are doing as their representatives for the progress of the state.

“It is better to do the town hall meeting so that the people would not reject us in four years when it is time for another election.

“We have to go back home to hear from the people so that we can have a good relationship with them,’’ he said.

The speaker said that all the reports would be collated and forwarded to Gov. Akinwumi Ambode for implementation.