Traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Oyo State have called on the state House of Assembly to consider the introduction of a Special Welfare Scheme for the officers and men of the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) for effective and efficient discharge of duties.
They made the call during the Post Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) inquiry on Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) Law, 2020 on Thursday at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The programme, which is in collaboration with Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), is focused on discussing the functionality of the already passed laws by conducting PLS inquiry, to determine for its amendment or repealing for stricter implementation.
Speaking on behalf of the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin said that the Post Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) is an opportunity to provide new ideas and submissions that are not catered for in the existing laws.
While assuring that every idea, submission and memorandum submitted by the all invited stakeholders will be considered and taken into, Hon. Adedoyin the whole idea is to enhance enforcement in the overall interest of the citizens and residents of the state.
In his presentation, the Chairman, Oyo State Security Network Agency Amotekun), AIG Sikiru Akande (rtd), applauded the state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde for his commitment towards the security of lives and properties of the state’s citizens and residents.
He said that the governor’s commitment can be attested through the establishment of the Oyo State Security Network Agency law to respond to security challenges and acquisition of two surveillance aircrafts to protect farmlands and forest reserves.
Amotekun chairman disclosed that the steps taken by the governor is a massive and clear message to the criminals and potential criminals to stay away from the state.
He revealed that the rivalry that used to happen between the agency and the Nigeria Police Force has been reduced and it has assisted in bridging the gap in information sharing and intelligent gathering.
Buttressing the point of the Chairman, the agency commandant, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd), appealed to the House of Assembly to consider a severance allowance of 300% for men and officers of the agency who have spent eight to ten years in service.
While revealing that the agency has lost about 17 officers, the Amotekun Commandant also suggested that the sum of #2.5m should be considered as a benchmark as death benefit for any officer who might have lost his life while in service.
Speaking on behalf of Soun of Ogbomoso, Aseyin of Is eyin and Eleruwa of Eruwa, the Abese of Ogbomoso, Chief Kasali Yusuf, appreciated late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Governor Seyi Makinde for their efforts in the acceptance of Amotekun in the South Western states.
The monarchs in the suggestion, appealed to the Oyo State House of Assembly to consider the introduction of a Special Welfare Scheme for the men and officers of the security outfit, adding that the step will go a long way in motivating them to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.
They also appealed that local government chairmen should be instructed to provide functional local government offices for smooth operations and effective policing.
The monarchs urged the Chairman and Commandant of the Oyo State Security Network Agency to maintain cordial relationships with federal security agencies for information sharing, intelligent gathering and intra-state network.
In her address, the Coordinator of the Post Legislative Scrutiny (PLS), Mrs. Aderonke Ogundeji, acknowledged the commitment of the Speaker, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin and the entire lawmakers for keying into the idea of establishing the Post Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) Unit in the Oyo State Legislature, saying that it is the first of its kind in the Nigerian legislative arm of government both at National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.
”I want to emphasize that this pilot PLS Unit in Nigeria with the support of WFD and NILDS is ever ready to replicate and share our knowledge and experience with other State Assemblies for the purpose of strengthening the Legislative function of law making and oversight as primary responsibility of Legislators. We are open for more collaborations from academia, research Institutes, CSOs and others for resourceful contributions and insights into this inquiry and future exercise.”
