Stakeholders including the Nigeria Bar Association NBA and Civil Society Organization have lauded Ogun State House of Assembly over a bill proposing the creation of the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, being considered by the house
The bill aimed at further entrenching probity, accountability and transparency in the administration of public funds in the State.
Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ota Branch, Barr. Joseph Ogunniyi , National Secretary, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Comrade Folarin Olayinka
and a legal officer in the State Internal Revenue Service, Israel Ewuoso who spoke at a recent public hearing on the bill organized by the house in Abeokuta, said that the establishment of Commission would help to represent public interests through rightful investigation of complaints on any forms of maladministration and violation of rights.
They proposed prosecuting power for the proposed commission towards ensuring unhindered discharge of its duties
According to them, the proposed bill would allow public officers to be effectively alive to their core duties, as the State now deserved to have its full-fledged anti-corruption agency.
On his part, the State Auditor General, Mr. Sunday Olubanjo lauded the 9th Assembly for its efforts towards promoting good governance with emphasis on transparency and accountability.
He added that the bill would help protect the scarce resources of government; just as the Director, Legal Drafting in the State Ministry of Justice, Barr. Mafe Bankole, recommended that public officers be excluded from the composition of the members of the Commission to allow independent members of the public with rich knowledge in finance, information technology and audit practices administer it.
Declaring the public hearing open, the Speaker of the Assembly, Right Honourable Olakunle Oluomo stressed the need to end various acts of misconduct that had eaten deep into the fabrics and every strata of the society
Oluomo added that the proposed bill sought to carry out as well as sustain public enlightenment campaign against acts of corruption and financial malpractices in the State, assuring that the bill would be given accelerated passage in order to ensure transparency in the management of Government resources and eradicate corruption in the State.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-corruption, Abdul Bashir Oladunjoye, represented by Hon. Isaac Adams, noted that the establishment of the Commission would help reduce financial misconducts in the State, given burden of cases pending with the nation's anti-graft agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
He expressed optimism that the law upon passage by the Assembly and assent by the Governor, would reaffirm the current administration as having zero tolerance for Corruption, which could in turn attract more local and foreign investors to the State.
"Let me emphasise that this Law has been so designed in a way that it will not hinder or duplicate the activities of Federal Anti-graft Agencies, however it will further complement their activities to completely rid Ogun State of Corrupt tendencies and practices", Oladunjoye stated
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