The sixth legislative arm of Ifelodun LCDA, Lagos State, led by Hon Ilesanmi Elijah Olutosin, recently held a public hearing on some public bills which will enhance the development of the LCDA.

Declaring open the public hearing, the Ifelodun LCDA chairman Hon Mayor Akanbi Okeowo, represented by his vice chairman Alhaja Adetoun Ojora, thanked the leader of the House, Hon Tosin Ilesanmi and the House for the public engagement. He noted that the public hearing will provide good opportunity for the people, to make meaningful and constructive contributions towards the growth and development of the LCDA

In his opening speech, the leader of Ifelodun LCDA Assembly, Hon Ilesanmi noted that the essence of the hearing is to engage the relevant stakeholders in matters of concern to the people. He noted that as representatives, it’s important to listen to the concerns of the people before embarking on any law that will reflect the aspirations and needs of the Ifelodun people.

The House leader encouraged all participants to make constructive and respectful suggestions. He assured that every relevant contribution will receive due legislative consideration during their legislative deliberation, while also thanking the LCDA chairman, stakeholders, party officials, traditional rulers and members of the public present for their suggestions.

Chairman of the adhoc committee on proposed bills Hon Sarumi Adekola jide, who is also the deputy leader of the house, noted, that the committee has considered the issues and proposed bills and their objectives is to provide practical legal frame work to protect the interest of the residence and contribute to the peace of the council and development of the LCDA.

Five proposed bills were read out by Mr Olaleye, the legal officer of the council

The five proposed bills are:

A bill for law to provide effective proper disposal of refuse and other related matters in the council. The purpose is to establish an effective sustainable system for proper collection, handling, transportation and disposal of refuse within the local government.

The proposed law provides clear responsibility for residents, business and waste handlers through the LCDA. It will encourage public awareness, community participation, compliance with approved waste disposal arrangements and proper measures to discourage indiscriminate dumping.

The second bill, is a bill for law to provide for change, adoption, and approval of residential and official use of a new logo for the LCDA. The purpose of the bill is to provide a proper legal frame work for a change and adoption of the new official logo for the LCDA. The new logo will serve as an official symbol of identity for the council, reflecting it’s history, values and aspirations, unity and commitment to development and well being of the people.

The legislation will provide clarity for the new logo, while preserving the identity and institutional integrity of the LCDA.

The third is a bill of law to prohibit and criminalize the obstruction of public road, street, drainage and right of way with public materials, debris, equipment and structure during construction of renovation work within the LCDA.

The purpose of this bill is to provide a legal frame work for the obstruction of public roads, drainage, walkways and right of ways, during construction or renovation and related activities at the LCDA. Construction and renovation are important but when building materials, machineries or temporary structure are placed on public roads including drainage channels, walkways or other public right of way, they can create hazard and interference with public safety.

The proposal will regulate the manner of construction, regulation of materials and the way they are stored. The bill will establish enforcement measure and penalty for person who unlawful obstructs.

The fourth bill is a bill of law to provide implementation, domesticated of right of persons with disability within the LCDA. Promote equality with special people, equal opportunity, accessibility, and non discrimination and for other related matters.

The purpose of the bill is to provide a clear legal institutional framework for the protection and promotion of the right of persons within Ifelodun, and also promote equal opportunity, accessibility, non discrimination and social mission and for other related matters.

The purpose of this bill is to provide a clearly legal institutional framework for protection and promotion of right of dignified person with disability within the LCDA. They are important members of the society and shall have equal right to participate fully in social, economic and community activities.

The fifth bill is a bill of law prohibiting criminality and strict enforcement on the ban of scavengers activities within Ifelodun. The bill provides legal framework prohibiting unauthorized activities with the council area. Provide effective measures for enforcement.

Unauthorized scavengers cannot be involved in the removal or collection of materials from refuse dump, waste containers, public space, construction sites or other locations without the required authority.

This proposed law prohibits scavengers activities and establish enforcement mechanism. Provides lawful seizure for items, materials and other articles collated.

Contributing to the bill, Ifelodun APC Chairman Babalola Owegbe, noted that waste bin collection has not been effective in the LCDA for almost six years. So, he suggested that the first step is to ensure PSP operation is activated again in the LCDA and the necessary awareness created.

In his submission, secretary of Ifelodun Apex Leaders Group and G17, Hon Lateef Lamina, said, some of the laws proposed by the Assembly are already functional in the state and a situation may arise where the state law and the LCDA law will clash. Of course, that of the state, he noted, will supercede that of the LCDA.

For instance, the logo. He reminded the lawmakers that a lot of deliberations were done before the government in power then, came up with the Ifelodun LCDA logo. Lamina advised that they should not change it without consulting the concerned stakeholders because another government may come into power and decide to adopt their own logo

On the issue of blocking the walkways or the roads, when construction is going on, he suggested that the council manager or the council engineer, should look inwards. Lamina revealed that most of the people that block the road with sand or gravel while building, got permission from the LCDA. The person that dumped the sand will say it was his relative in the LCDA that approved the dumping. Lamina emphasized further that to ensure the law work effectively there should be no sacred cows.

Lamina also noted that championing the course of the disabled should start at the council secretariat, where the disable should be able to have access to every part of the complex.

He further tasked the PSP operators, to be more effective in handling the issue of waste in the LCDA. The House Committee on Works he added, should do their oversight responsibilities effectively.

One of the CDC chairmen Alhaji Lanre Okuade, suggested that a law should be established that will give a time frame to those who have uncompleted buildings for them to complete them. He said, those uncompleted buildings have become hideouts for criminal elements in the area. He pointed out further that there’s no law regulating the activities of the commercial motorcycle riders popularly known as Okada in the LCDA.

The public hearing was attended by some members of the executive Council which include supervisors, special advisers and special assistants and HOD Education.

Other dignitaries include: Alhaji Lanre Okuade, a CDC chairman, DPO’s of Layeni and Amukoko police stations, representatives of the DSS, NSCD, ISN, Ward Chairmen, traditional rulers, representatives of market body’s and other professionally groups.