Autonomy row: Legislature, judiciary retain financial control – Edo Speaker

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idaiye, has asserted that the financial autonomy of the legislature and the judiciary has not been removed, despite recent legislative changes. Governor Monday Okpebholo recently signed into law the Edo House of Assembly Funds Management Bill 2023 and the State Judiciary Financial Autonomy 2023 Amendment Bill.

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The legislation did not remove the financial autonomy of the House of Assembly or the judiciary. The recurrent expenditure would continue to go to the Assembly and judiciary, while the amendment addressed the management of capital funds.

Idaiye explained that while recurrent expenditures will continue to be managed by the Assembly and judiciary, the amendments specifically address the management of capital funds. He stated that the capital component of these funds had been "badly abused," leading to the governor's intervention. The new legislation requires the Assembly and judiciary to submit proposals to the executive for approval before accessing funds for capital projects.

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It is the capital part of the funds that has issues. It was badly abused.

"The autonomy is still in place, there is no fear on any side, and the unions should not have any fear," Idaiye assured, emphasizing that workers' salaries remain unaffected by the amendment. He suggested that those expressing concerns may not have been fully briefed on the details of the new laws.

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The autonomy is still in place, there is no fear on any side, and the unions should not have any fear.

Governor Okpebholo, who received the Speaker during the signing ceremony, commended the lawmakers for the swift passage of the legislation. He acknowledged that the bills had become a "controversial law" but stressed the importance of the three arms of government operating within their constitutional mandates. The governor expressed concern that funds designated for capital projects were not reaching the populace, hindering visible improvements to residents' lives. He praised the lawmakers for addressing this issue.

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I am indeed delighted because this has become like a controversial law, I must confess to you.