You Can’t Demolish Our Quarters Without Alternative Accommodation, Ogun Speaker Tells Gov. Abiodun
The Ogun State House of Assembly has rejected claims that its members were paid for alternative accommodation ahead of the planned demolition of their legislative quarters at Ibara Government Reservation Area (GRA) under the state’s urban renewal programme.
Speaker of the Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, clarified the issue on Friday during a press briefing at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, to mark his second year in office.
Elemide said the lawmakers support Governor Dapo Abiodun’s urban regeneration drive across GRAs in the state but insisted that the government must provide suitable alternative accommodation or pay hotel bills before demolishing the 46-year-old legislative quarters.
“If the government decides to demolish the legislative quarters, we are only tenants. For the remaining period of our tenure, we should either be provided with alternative accommodation or paid in lieu of hotel lodging,” he said.
He stressed that no lawmaker had received any payment, noting that the Assembly had not even been issued a notice to vacate the premises.
Addressing concerns about the fate of future legislators, the Speaker said the government had informed the Assembly that the existing structures no longer meet modern standards in terms of aesthetics, functionality and durability.
“The explanation we received is that the present buildings cannot stand the test of time or reflect what a modern legislative estate should look like in the 21st century,” Elemide said.
He explained that the redevelopment plan would optimise land use, with new duplex or semi-detached legislative quarters to be constructed, while the excess space would be deployed for projects capable of adding economic value to the state.
“A plot of land in that area is valued at about ₦100 million. If we are convinced that public funds will not be wasted and that the project will deliver tangible economic benefits to Ogun State, we may not oppose it,” he added.
Elemide, however, maintained that demolition should not commence until alternative accommodation is provided, adding that lawmakers had been assured that the project would be completed before the end of the current administration.
The Speaker also renewed his call for full autonomy for the legislative arm to strengthen efficiency and democratic governance, while commending Governor Abiodun for approving a ₦150 million constituency projects allowance for each lawmaker, describing the move as unprecedented.
He disclosed that under his leadership, the Assembly has passed 12 bills, with eight more currently at various stages of consideration, and adopted over 60 resolutions aimed at promoting good governance and improving the welfare of residents.
The Ogun State Government had earlier announced plans in November to demolish and reconstruct the legislative quarters as part of its urban renewal initiative.
