Snake Snare At Ondo Assembly

MEMBERS of the Ondo State House of Assembly abruptly halted legislative business last week and proceeded on indefinite recess owing to what they termed the deplorable state of the Assembly complex. The media was awash with reports that the legislators were sent packing due to a sudden appearance of snake and other reptiles during plenary forcing members to scamper for safety.

SPEAKER of the Assembly, Bamidele Oleyeloogun, his deputy, Iroju Ogundeji, and the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Gbenga Omole while addressing newsmen on the decision of the House painted a pathetic picture of the sorry state of the edifice.  According to the Speaker.  On Wednesday, snake fell from the roof of the Assembly Complex and the ceiling were falling which made us to go back to our respective offices. We can no longer continue legislative business here; everything is deplorable.” The duo of Ogundeji and Omole confirmed that they were chased out of the Chamber by a live snake on Wednesday noting that although it was killed, they were aware that dangerous reptiles are in the ceilings. They therefore called on the state governor to assist them this time around.

CONSEQUENTLY, Governor OluwarotimiAkeredolu, over the weekend, led a team of government functionaries to the Assembly complex on first hand assessment. The government’s team on a fact finding mission went round the complex to ascertain the legislators’ claim. Governor Akeredolu, during the visit, was quoted to have suspected foul play on the part of the lawmakers and accused them of attempting to blackmail his government with the whole episode.

WE are not happy about the management of the information by the lawmakers which we consider not good enough for the Sunshine State as it has portrayed the state as uncivilized and backward given that such could happen in the twenty first century.

IT is, however, surprising that the alarm about the deplorable state of the Assembly complex is being raised by members of the House whereas it is the House that appropriates funds for all sectors of the state. That they waited this long to realize the need to keep their edifice habitable until the roofs began to cave in and snakes falling from the roof is worrisome. Why have they continued to neglect the maintenance of the complex until it got to this unfortunate level? A proverbial case of a physician that cannot heal itself?

BESIDES, funds are being allocated, on yearly basis, for maintenance of the structures within the complex such as rehabilitation and fumigation of the buildings and the surroundings. Where have all these funds been going? Why have those saddled with the maintenance of the structures within the Assembly complex not being made to account for their actions or inactions? This position was corroborated by Governor Akeredolu’s initial response to the ugly incident during his visit to the complex where he, though admitted that the edifice needed renovation, queried the lawmakers for not properly managing the funds allocated to them. THE HOPE therefore calls on the leadership and members of the House to stop bulk passing and do the needful.

IN some civilized climes, the House of Assembly is always a cynosure of eyes whereby the complex is aesthetically inviting with clean and well painted buildings, lush lawn and grass properly manicured. This is what attracts tourists and students on excursion who regularly throng the Assembly to catch a glimpse of the environment and the business of the House. The Ondo State House of Assembly should take a cue from this and some sister Houses of Assembly like the AkwaIbom House of Assembly complex which is a beauty to behold.

THE HOPE also calls on other government agencies within the state whose environments are untidy to learn from the Ondo State House of Assembly episode and ensure that their structures are constantly maintained and environmental friendly. The maintenance culture, which is fast eroding public utilities, we dare say, is the panacea for dilapidating structures and national embarrassment.