Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has signed the state's Park Management Bill into law, aiming to address longstanding challenges in the state's transport park system and modernise the sector. The signing took place at the Government House in Osogbo on Monday. Mr Adeleke stated that the implementation of the law would commence immediately, ensuring that Osun people and other interests are accommodated for efficient service delivery across the state.
The Osun State House of Assembly passed the bill on 23 September and forwarded it to Mr Adeleke for assent. The governor praised the House Speaker and members of the House for acting in the best interest of the state. He expressed confidence that the bill is the best solution to the perennial crisis and challenges facing the Osun transportation park system.
However, the signing of the bill comes amid a constitutional dispute over the authority of the state government to regulate and manage motor parks. The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State argued that the state legislature lacked the constitutional authority to take over the regulation and management of motor parks, citing Section 7(1) and the Fourth Schedule of the Nigerian constitution.
The APC relied on the constitution, arguing that the administration and revenue collection associated with public motor parks fall under the functions of democratically elected local government councils. The party warned that implementing the legislation could create further conflict in the state and called for its withdrawal.
The House of Assembly rejected the APC's argument, stating that the party was relying on a selective interpretation of the constitution. The lawmakers argued that the fact that motor parks are listed among local government functions does not automatically remove the matter from the legislative competence of a state House of Assembly.
The crisis that prompted the bill involved months of tension and violence linked to disputes over control of motor parks in Osun. On 14 September, Mr Adeleke banned National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) activities in the state after Olalekan Oyeyemi, an associate of the governor, was shot dead at Mayfair motor park in Ile-Ife.
The state government had previously suspended NURTW activities in motor parks following a violent confrontation between rival factions in July. The government maintained that the union's recognised leadership remained in place, while the national NURTW leadership rejected the suspension and later inaugurated a caretaker committee for the state.
Key points
- The Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke signed the Park Management Bill into law to address longstanding challenges in the state's transport park system.
- The signing of the bill comes amid opposition from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, which argues that the state legislature lacks the constitutional authority to regulate and manage motor parks.
- The crisis that prompted the bill involved months of tension and violence linked to disputes over control of motor parks in Osun.
