By Seyi Odewale
An anti-corruption and accountability civil society body, Human and Environmental Developmental Agenda (HEDA), has slammed the recent appointment of Mr. Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as M.C Oluomo, as the chairman of the newly constituted Parks and Garages Management Committee of Lagos State by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to manage and oversee the commercial motor parks and garages in the state.
Oluomo’s appointment was announced in a release by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.
HEDA in a statement by its directors said the appointment was illegal as there was no known law in Lagos State backing the appointment.
It added that going by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the management of all parks, garages, and bus stops within the state falls under the purview of the local government councils, and not the state government.
The group referred to Section 1(e) of the Fourth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as altered) which provides thus: “The main functions of the local government council are as follows: (e)Establish maintenance and Regulation of slaughterhouses, slaughter slabs, markets, “Motor Parks” and public conveniences.
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It recalled that Oluomo, who was the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW (Lagos Chapter) was sacked by its national body, for not showing remorse after his initial suspension for insubordination, abuse of office, and incitements.
Oluomo’s appointment goes with him as the Chairman; Alhaji Sulyman Ojora, as his Deputy Chairman; the erstwhile AIG of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, as the government liaison officer in the committee; Taiwo Olufemi Salaam, as Secretary and 21 other members. They are to report to the Ministry of Transportation.
The group although commended the motive behind the establishment of the committee “to ensure that activities and events of NURTW do not or are not allowed to threaten the law and order in the state.
It, however, pointed out that the state parking authority law provides for a chairman and six (6) members only; therefore, constituting a 25-member committee contradicts the State Parking Authority Law.
“The state Parking Authority Law is clear, Section 2 (a & b) spelled it unambiguously about the composition of the Authority. More so, the position of liaison officer is unknown to the law.
“However, Section 12 (1&2) of the Parking Authority law provides for a general manager who shall be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and who shall be in charge of the general administration of the Authority and transaction of its day-to-day business,” the group said.
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HEDA had recently written to the state lawmakers and the Assembly Speaker asking them to repeal this same law on the ground that the role of managing parks, garages, and bus stops exclusively comes under local government council as enshrined in Section 1 (e) of the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 constitution the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as altered).
“It’s on these grounds that our group is making a prayer to the Lagos State government to rethink its decision and follow the rule of law as it’s appropriate in the interest of peace and order as he (Mr. governor) has promised the people.
“We also demand a probe into the collection of multiple taxes and levies imposed on buses, tricycles, and motorcycles in Lagos State.
It has been estimated that N123 billion is being collected per annum. It is likely to have increased as the levies collected daily are as follows: Big Bus – named “LT” b/w N14,000 & N15,000; Small Bus – named “Danfo” b/w N8,500 & N9,000; Tricycle named “Keke” b/w N1,400 & N1700; Motorcycle named “Okada” b/w N800 & N1,200. We expect the State government to expedite actions in this matter,” the group stated.
