By Adekola Afolabi
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Financial autonomy of State Houses of Assembly and the Judiciary will enhance dynamic and active parliamentary and judicial democracy which will encourage effective representation and attainment of dividends of good governance.

These among others were the words of the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun and the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olanrewaju Akeredolu,  at a consultative and reflection meeting with management of the Assembly and the judiciary on financial and management frameworks held in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

Speaking separately at the event,  the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun and the State Chief Judge, Justice Olanrewaju Akeredolu, expressed their readiness for the successful implementation of the financial autonomy bill.

Oleyelogun explained that the autonomy would make them more responsive, accountable and responsible to their various constituencies in terms of delivering dividends of democracy to the people who elected them, just as it will improve legislative activities and promote democratic governance in the country.

He disclosed that a committee has been set up to look into the operational guidelines of the Financial autonomy bill as passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by the President Muhammadu Buhari for necessary actions.

The new law, which was part of the Fourth Alteration Bills of the 1999 Constitution passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari was aimed at ensuring State Legislative and the Judiciary arms of government are free from the control of the executive arm over their finances.

The Speaker said the House would take necessary decisions and pass the operational guidelines and mechanism through which the law will come into play to ensure perfection in the state.

It would be recalled that the Assembly had earlier in June passed the financial autonomy bill on the floor of the House. The full implementation of the autonomy is expected to take effect from next year.

He stressed that the autonomy would add more values to democracy in the country as it would enable the lawmakers have their own budget which will impact positively on the lives of their constituents, noting that the House will prepare its 2019 budget base on the financial autonomy for its implementation next year.

On her part, Justice Akeredolu said the new law will enable the judiciary carry out its plans without any interference from other arms of government as an independent arm.

She disclosed that the state judiciary is fully ready and prepared for the autonomy, noting that the 2019 judiciary  budget which covers various heads was being prepared in line with the financial autonomy law .

She added that the financial autonomy will not in anyway hamper the synergy between the three arms of government, saying that all the arms of government will continue to work together for peace, security and development of the state and country at large.

The duo lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the bill into law, saying it would enhance good governance and better service delivery, as it will enable the the important arms of government to manage their funds independently to set and realize its strategic aims.

Some participants including Hon. Ifedayo Akinsoyinu,  Hon. Sunday Olajide and Hon. Siji Akindiose who commended the president for signing the bill into law, also described the new law as a good step in the right direction.

Akinsoyinu commended the State House of Assembly and the judiciary for being proactive and alive to their constitutional responsibilities as important arms of government.

Earlier, National Coordinator, Friends of Democracy in Nigeria, John Mutu, said the meeting was to strengthen democratic institutions, build consensus among participants on the concept and principles of financial and operational independence of the state legislature and the judiciary,  review progress made towards the implementation of the financial autonomy law in the state and update on the level of preparation of the 2019 internal budget of the House and the judiciary .

The guest speakers at the meeting, Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe and Senator Adamu Bala encouraged the leadership of the two institutions to work harmoniously in performing their duties with sincerity, accountability, transparency and patriotism.

The meeting had in attendance members of the House of Assembly, Clerk of the House and Directors of various Departments of the House and the judiciary where questions and answers were accommodated to ensure clarity on the implementation of the financial autonomy.