The Osun State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the State Social Protection Bill 2018 and commenced the amendment of State of Osun Assembly Service Commission.
The bill was passed after a motion moved by the House’s Deputy Leader, Hon. Bello Osuolale and seconded by Hon. Babatunde Komolafe.
The Speaker of the House, RT. Hon. Najeem Salam said the bill was also passed after sailing through the policy trust and second reading.
After the passage, the Speaker urged the Clerk to immediately transmit the bill to the Governor for assent, adding that all previously sent bills must be followed up to ascertain the governor’s stance for further steps.
Salaam said the Osun Social Protection Bill allows for the establishment of the State of Osun Social Protection Implementation Committee for the management and control of the state social protection programmes.
He noted that when signed into law, the bill will combat and reduce poverty, provide persons living with disabilities in the state with the means to cope with major life risks, ensure access to affordable health care, social protection and social assistance.
The Speaker said the bill will ensure decent employment and sustainable livelihood, enhance human capital development and human dignity as well as promote social cohesion, equity and inclusive economic growth in the state.
He explained that the existing social protection programmes initiated by the Rauf Aregbesola-led government in the state include Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O-Meal), Free services for children attending special schools, Elderly Welfare Scheme (Agba Osun) and Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme (O-REAP) must be sustained.
The Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye during plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye said the House has also commenced work on the ‘State of Osun Assembly Service Commission Establishment and Management (Amendment No. 2), Bill 2018’ after a motion by the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Bello Osuolale and seconded by Hon. Gbadebo Akanbi.
