THE NEED FOR INQUISITIVE POLITICAL OFFICERS;

THE NEED FOR INQUISITIVE POLITICAL OFFICERS;

A nation where hope is lost has lost its significance as a nation. Accord must be given to the Lagos state House Assembly for their doggedness and resilience towards a befitting representation of various constituencies which makes the power house.

However, it is equivocal at this point to state that the ‘rubberstamping’ nature of this chamber of power is debatable. Some believe that the house in the experience of this democratic dispensation has not risen up to challenge some of the decisions of the executive arm. This was largely witness in the 8-year term if Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Governor of the state, though, some politicians and lawmakers claimed there is really no need for unnecessary ramblings since the executive were up to task.

A critical look at the Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s ongoing tenure, many has argued if the lawmakers really know what their responsibilities were.

It will be unfair to hasty generalize that the Adeyemi Ikuforiji led Assembly is not up to task, some of the lawmakers over the years have stood out distinctly by raising controversial and unrealistic fantacies of the executive arm especially in terms of execution of road contracts and other social amenities, the recent is the proposed 2013 budget.

One of these few is Honourable Rotimi Olowo, representing Somolu Constituency. Without mincing words his effort to alleviate pains and economic hardship is visible in his constituency. People of this sort could speak and challenge any authority because he has the moral justification to do so (he who goes to equity must go with clean hands).

The 2013 budget of Lagos State as proposed by the Executive arm shows that capital receipt amounting to 22.912 billion naira seems to be a mirage to these realist-lawmakers. The reason is not far-fetched, this school of thought believes if it is impossible to realize 18 billion naira as at September in 2012 budget, then how feasible is it to generate Internally Generated Revenue of about 23 billion naira (27.7 percent increase) in 2013 budget, re-emphasizing the need to stop ‘over-blotted proposals’.

A quick reminder of the precarious tax overcharges on Lagos state workers salary which obviously was not an enough tool for Internally Generated Revenue in the state, the Minimum wage policy has become an added advantage of the State Government to generate more revenue, the public-private partnership initiative aimed at boosting the state’s purse is also very effective, taxes on almost every transaction on the streets of Lagos is another technique for revenue generation, to mention a few.

With all these measures by the state government, it is yet to generate her planned Internal Revenue for 2012 budget. Then you would agree that achieving the 2013 proposed Internally Generated Revenue is not just unrealistic but mere fantasy.

Nevertheless, the realization of this budget is only possible if Lagos residents and workers would be taxed for the air they breathe per second.

The rate at which the state government sought revenue generation is alarming, every hook and cranny is now a means of state revenue generation to all and sundry. However, it was observed that the first tenure of this dispensation seems to have achieved more with less tax pressure on its workers and residents. Conversely, the state government now seems to be getting more and spending less, the roads are still in very bad shape, job security is less guaranteed, economic hardship grows by the day, yet the state government seems not to have a remedy for this cause- even with 18 billion naira.

How then will the state government realize that sumptuous revenue of about 23 billion naira (approximately $US 140m at of N165 per $US) for just 365 days? Haba, A fantasy indeed.

The state government needs to review their tactics so as not to lose its relevance and purpose.

However, the swift shake up call of lawmakers like Hon. Rotimi Olowo and Hon. Tejuosho Funmilayo, Hon. Dayo Saka Fafunmi, and others on the 2013 unrealistic idea, is a hope for a true legislative discuss. Unlike past experiences where the ‘all-is-well’ agenda has been the norm, vibrant and inquisitive political officers like these will save the worth of legislative strength before its been ambushed by political-demigods for selfish reasons. People like these are needed in the National Assembly to reinstate the constructive debatable character of the arm.

It is high time political office holders stood up to the challenge of the day, by unfettering political affiliations and influences in order to serve the people who they represent well.

We hope that these set of individuals raise issues affecting the people, some of them; the tenancy law which only covers some parts of the state, leaving out other parts – what then is the essence of a law which is not binding on all Lagosians; minimum wage review; tax overcharge review; employment opportunities for our graduates; road rehabilitations; and other germane issues.

We hope other reputable lawmakers will also join these train of true icons in the discharge of true service to Lagos residents. Eko O Ni Baje O.