By Elizabeth ADENUGA
The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed a Bill for a Law to Provide for the Establishment of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission and for Connected Purposes.
The bill was the first to be passed by the House in the New Year.
The 28-section bill, read for the third time before its passage seeks to monitor the activities of all local government areas on appointment, discipline and promotion of employees.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, conducted section by section voice votes on the bill where all members participated.
Obasa directed the Clerk of the House to forward the clean copy of the bill to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for assent.
According to the bill, the commission shall have a chairman who shall be a public administrator with cognate experience in local government/ community development matter.
It said that members of the commission, who shall be appointed by the governor subject to the approval of the House for a period of five years, shall come from the five divisions of the state.
“The Commission shall have powers to appoint all categories of senior staff on Grade Level 07 and above into the Unified Local Government Service of the state.
“The Commission shall have powers to deploy, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over members of staff of the Unified Local Government Service in the state in accordance with the provisions of the public service rules and other extant regulations.
“ The Commission shall have powers to set general and uniform guidelines for establishment matters, prescribe the terms and conditions of service, including allowances and other remuneration for all staff in accordance with public service rules.
“ The Commission shall have powers manage the careers of all staff through the Local Government Establishments, Training and Pension Office (LGET &P),’’ the bill read in part.
It added that the commission would ensure and promote professionalism and monitor capacity building of staff at all levels for uniformity and conformity with the vision of the state.
The commission is also empowered to appoint committees to carry out on its behalf, such functions as it may determine but no decision of such committee (s) shall have effect unless ratified by the commission.
Also, there shall be established a fund for the commission and provision for the fund shall be made in the annual budget of the state.
Meanwhile, the House received reports of its Committee on Finance on the Public Hearing on a Bill seeking to amend the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency Law.
It also received another report from the same committee on the Public Hearing on a Bill for a Law to Establish the Lagos State Public Private Partnership Law, 2018, and for Connected Purpose.
The House adjourned its plenary session until Jan. 15.
