The Oyo State House of Assembly has embarked on training and validation workshop to institutionalise Post Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) to strengthen and redirect Legislative procedures and activities of Houses of Assembly in the country, a development aimed at advancing the course of governance and democracy in the country.
The 3-Day workshop and Capacity Building For Lawmakers, Staff and critical stakeholders which started on Tuesday is being held at De Signature Hotel, Jericho, Ibadan.
In a good will Messaged delivered by Dr. T A Dairo, Director, Legal Drafting and Parliamentary Counselling on behalf of the Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice in the State Ministry of Justice, said the introduction of PLS into our legislative framework is a testament and commitment to deepening democracy, fostering inclusiveness, and ensuring that the voices of the people resonate in the decisions that shape their lives.
According to him, this approach will not only strengthen legislative processes but also builds trust and collaboration between lawmakers and constituents, adding that the workshop will provide an invaluable platform for lawmakers and stakeholders to equip themselves with the skills, knowledge, and strategies necessary to implement PLS effectively.
“It is with a great pleasure that I extend my heartfelt good will to all of you gathered here for this significant training aimed at institutionalizing the Post Legislative System (PLS) within the Oyo State House of Assembly.
“By doing so, we affirm our collective dedication to transparency, accountability, and citizen –centered governance, and as we embark on this transformative journey, I urge every participant to engage fully, share insights, and embrace the spirit of innovation and progress that PLS embodies. Together, we can set a remarkable example across the nation and beyond.
Dr Dairo encouraged participants to seize this opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to advancing good governance and ensuring that through PLS, the Oyo State House of Assembly remains a beacon of democratic excellence.
In her remark, the Clerk of the Assembly, Mrs Taiwo Muraina Akinola described the workshop, organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democratic Development (WFD) in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), as a welcome development, adding that it symbolizes a forward-thinking approach to legislative excellence, one that goes beyond law-making to ensure that every legislation they pass fulfills its intended purpose
“It gives me great pleasure to address this gathering as we embark on the journey to deepen our understanding on Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) within the Oyo State House of Assembly and institutionalize its practice.”
She said it is important to note that the concept of PLS stems from a recognition that the legislative process does not end with the assent of a Bill but rather begins a new phase of responsibility via implementation and impact assessment.
“Our laws, crafted with the noblest intentions, often face challenges when put into practice. These challenges range from inadequate resources to institutional bottlenecks and unintended consequences. Without a mechanism to monitor and evaluate these laws, we risk enacting legislation that fails to address the problems they were intended to address.”
“This oversight is what PLS seeks to correct. It provides a structured framework for reviewing the implementation, effectiveness, and relevance of laws, ensuring they remain dynamic tools for societal transformation.
“There is no doubt that institutionalizing PLS will not only enhance the quality of our legislative outputs but also solidify public confidence in the legislature as a vital arm of government.
“Through scrutiny enabled by PLS, we can identify gaps, propose amendments, and hold implementing agencies accountable. This process creates a feedback channel that fosters accountability, transparency, and evidence- based decision making.
“Furthermore, PLS is a global best practice, and its institutionalization will position the Oyo State House of Assembly as a pacesetter in legislative innovation in Nigeria.
According to her, PLS will offer us a way to ensure that our legislative efforts directly and positively impact the lives of our people, especially in an era where governance challenges are becoming increasingly complex and multifaceted,
“Aside its legislative benefits, PLS also has profound implications for good governance. It reinforces the principle that governance is a continuous process of evaluation and improvement.
“With the framework of assessing the outcomes of our laws, enabled by PLS, there will be relentless commitment to accountability and inclusivity.
This not only strengthens the bond between the government and the governed but also ensures that public resources are used effectively and efficiently. In this way, PLS becomes a powerful tool for building trust and fostering development.
“I really want to commend WFD and NILDS for their unwavering support in championing this transformative initiative. This collaboration with the Oyo State House of Assembly accentuates dedication to strengthening democratic governance and capacity building.
“I, therefore, urge participants to embrace this workshop with an open mind and a sense of purpose. The knowledge and insight gained during this workshop will equip us to not only institutionalize PLS but also elevate our legislative processes to meet the highest standards of governance.
“As we commence this workshop, let us remember that the ultimate goal of our work is to serve the people of Oyo State effectively and by committing ourselves fully to this workshop, we reaffirm our dedication to this noble objective.
Addressing Newsmen on the development, , the Director of National Institute for Legislative and Democracy Studies, Professor Adewale Adeyemi said the workshop and capacity building programme is aimed at training the Lawmakers of the Oyo State House of Assembly on a new legislative procedures that is fast gaining ground in other parts of the world.
“Post Legislative Scrutiny is a legislative procedures that is both oversight and monitoring of government activities when the legislature pass laws.
He said the decision of the bodies to start the workshop and capacity building programme with Oyo State House of Assembly has to do with the leadership of the state House of Assembly in Nigeria, especially, the position of the Speaker, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin as Chairman of Conference of Speaker in the country.
He advised the legislators to take the training very seriously because the best stage of the project is to institutionalise PLS in order to embrace it’s best practice.
Also speaking with Journalists on the development, the Country Director of Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Mr Adewale Olorunmola said what they intend to do is to strengthen the legislative process in Nigeria by bringing new tune used globally for Legislative process.
