By Oluwaseun Adebolu
Members of the 7th Ekiti State House of Assembly have been equipped with relevant knowledge and skills needed to enhance their primary function of lawmaking and effective representation of their constituencies.
This followed a retreat organized for the lawmakers with the theme “Legislating and Oversight: In a Challenging Time,” marking the commencement of a new legislative year.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, said it is important to build the capacity of the lawmakers so as to enhance their delivery but expressed concern over access to resources.
The Speaker of the 7th Assembly pointed out that, despite the prevailing economic hardships in the country, lawmakers have been receiving the same salary since the 4th Assembly, which has hindered their ability to effectively perform in their respective constituencies.
Speaking with journalists, he explained that the unchanged salary structure, which has not been reviewed by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to reflect the country’s current economic realities, has been a major barrier to delivering adequate projects to communities.
He said, “Capacity building is crucial for this arm of government. It helps us stay updated and prepared for our responsibilities. We cannot ignore the realities of the moment. We all know these are challenging times, so how do we legislate and perform oversight functions in such a period?
One legislative year has ended, and we are about to begin another one. We’ve come together to equip ourselves with the necessary tools to do our jobs responsibly and more effectively.
In his remarks, the governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, urged the lawmakers to engage with stakeholders and community members to implement laws effectively.
Oyebanji, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaja Habibat Adubiaro, noted that the lawmakers’ oversight functions are a cornerstone of democratic governance, urging them to uphold integrity, diligence, and service to improve the state’s future and the lives of its residents.