Ekiti House of Assembly has passed the bill for a law to provide for the establishment of the Debt Management Office in the state, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The Executive bill cited as “A bill for a Law to Provide for Establishment of the Debt Management Office, 2020’’, was unanimously passed at Thursday’s plenary in Ado Ekiti presided over by the Speaker, Mr Funminiyi Afuye.
Commenting on the bill, Afuye lauded the Executive bill, saying it would enhance good governance in Ekiti, if eventually assented to by Gov. Kayode Fayemi.
“The summary of this bill is that Government is looking for a `one-stop-shop’ to enhance good governance and a better view of the debt profile status of the state.
“This move of the Executive shows its readiness for transparency and accountability. This is a bill in the right direction,” Afuye said.
Other contributors during the debate, who included, the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Hakeem Jamiu and the Majority Leader, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, described the bill as a laudable one.
They said that the bill would avail the citizens the understanding of the debt profile of the state.
Some others who spoke in favour of the bill were, Mr Yemi Osatuyi, APC, Oye Constituency 2; Mrs Yemisi Ayokunle, APC, Ekiti South West 1; and Mr Bode Adeoye, APC Ekiti West 2.
They noted that the bill would give room for participatory governance.
The bill after being committed and ratified by the Committee of the Whole House and read for the third time by the Clerk of the House, Mr Tola Esan, was unanimously passed by members of the Assembly.
Also the Assembly amended the Ekiti Fiscal Responsibility Law (Amendment) 2020.
The House only amended Section 34 (1) (a) (b) of the Principal Law, 2019, which gives room for the government to ensure that the level of external loan was bearable.
Afuye said, “The amendment of any law is to make the principal law effective and efficient.”
The Assembly which was called from four weeks recess, thereafter adjourned “sine die”.
