Why JKF Ordered Reabsorption Of Sacked Assembly Workers–
Chairman, EKHA Service Commission. By Popoola Yaqoub
Ado Ekiti – Former Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Taiwo
Olatunbosun has given reasons for the planned reabsorption of about 140 workers of the Ekiti State House of Assembly sacked by the immediate administration of Ayo Fayose.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Saturday during an interaction with journalists on his agenda, Olatunbosun, said the assembly has got approval from Fayemi for the reabsorption of 140 workers disengaged from the commission by ex-governor Ayodele Fayose in 2014.
Olatunbosun, who is now the Chairman, Ekiti State House of Assembly Service Commission, said explained that “the basis for their disengagement was not stated, but was only done to make people jobless.
“How can people that were legally engaged be thrown out of service that way? It was an injustice and Governor Fayemi had directed that we must correct that”
The former legislator applauded the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for giving the state assembly reasonable financial Independence, saying
this will give room for constructive engagements between the executive and legislature for optimum performance.
On the much-sought autonomy for the legislature, Olatunbosun clarified that the agitation should not be misinterpreted to mean that there would be a total severing of relationships between the executive and the legislative arms of government.
“During the Military Regimes in Nigeria, the Judiciary was operating by interpreting laws , but the Supreme Military Council headed by a Head of State played the roles of executive and legislature.
“There was no assembly to make laws and that was the beginning of the erosion of respect for that arm”, he said.
Defending legislative autonomy further, Olatunbosun said: “The judiciary is enjoying its funding from consolidated account, so why can’t the legislature enjoys same as chambers for the representatives
of the people?.
“Based on my experiences as a former Deputy Speaker and now
administrator in the assembly, the two arms cannot be totally
separated from each other , because they represent one government with one development agenda.
“But what the agitators are saying is a reasonable level of financial autonomy that will give them leverage over encumbrances .Government
is one and all over the world, the executive remains the head of any government, but the act of lawmaking cannot be toyed with, because that is where good governance starts from. Good laws will automatically translate to good governance.
“Autonomy should not be misinterpreted. It is just a way of making each arm of government responsible and productive for the delivery of democracy dividends”.
Olatunbosun expressed hope that with the partnerships and
interventions of national and multinational agencies by Fayemi that all the electioneering promises of the present government,
particularly the regular payment of salaries and pensions, will be
fulfilled.
He said the assembly will join hands with the executive to achieve the task of restoring hope to the suffering masses.