THE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE SIGNED INTO LAW BILLS ESTABLISHING THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION AGENCY AND TWO OTHERS.

20-04-2021.

Written By: Otitonaiye Damilare Femi. 

The Governor Of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu has assented the bills establishing the public complaints and anti-corruption commission agency and two others into law.

He signed into law the three 2021 bills, for a creation of Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission agency, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority and Lagos State House Of Assembly Commission, yesterday at a ceremony held in aluasa, ikeja.

The executive arm of the government sponsored bills, were signed into law days after it was passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Governor Sanwoolu express optimism that in the coming days the Anti-Corruption Commission Agency will be set-up to discharge the functions it was created for, which is to investigate and prosecute crimes related to misappropriation of public funds by both government officials and registered contractors within the State.

He also express that his assertion to the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Bill of 2021, came at the time State government needs to regulate and coordinate activities of lotteries agencies operating within the State.

After the signing of the three bills into law, Mr Sanwo-Olu affirm that the execitive action was a testimony to the State Government’s effort towards entrenching accountability in governance and checking malfeasance among officers entrusted with public resources.

He said in his words:

 “The bill establishing Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission is an important legislation critical to the delivery of quality services to the citizens. When we came in, we had said we would be accountable and responsible in the appropriation of the State’s resources. We want to stand in front of the citizens to give account on how public funds are being spent.

“To give credence to this promise, the executive arm initiated the bill and sent to the Assembly for approval. We believe that this law would not only ensure accountability of public funds, responsibility of public office, but also promote dialogue among public officers to keep the trust of the people in the discharge of their duties in line with transparency. The anti-corruption commission will ensure that all approved activities are implemented in accordance with budgetary allocation.”

The Governor express that the anti-corruption commission would be independent in its operations and functions, stating that it functions will complement the Nigerian Police Force and other agencies in reducing financial crime within the State.

The Lotteries and Gaming Authority Bill of 2021, the governor explained, is to simplify and incorporate technological innovations in the gaming sector.

The law sought to harmonise five gaming and lottery formats, such as casino, jackpot, pool, lotto and sports betting, thereby regulating the sector and checking fraudulent activities of unregistered game centres within the State.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the former lottery law of the state did not meet the contemporary needs in the industry, which was why the executive initiated the bill to accommodate technology in regulating the business.

In his words he said:

“As a forward-looking government, we are doing the needful to ensure fair play, regulation and monitoring is brought back into the gaming industry. The law is not in any form to stifle investment, but to offer better platform for lottery companies to enhance equity, transparency and make their investment more rewarding,” 

Mr Sanwo-Olu finally express his government’s readiness would continue to look for ways that would boost the confidence of the public and promote accountability in governance.