Lagos State House of Assembly has suspended the confirmation of two nominees forwarded by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for appointment into the Local Government Service Commission, LGSC, stating that further review of their submissions was required.

The affected nominees are Durosimi Yinka and Seriki Ahmed, whose confirmations were deferred pending additional scrutiny by the lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the Assembly confirmed the appointments of three other nominees after they successfully completed the screening process. They include former Chairman of Itire/Ikate Local Council Development Area, Hakeem Bamgbola; former Chairman of Isolo LCDA, Olaleye Samsudeen; and the immediate past Vice Chairman of Ikorodu Local Council, Olabanji Folashade.

The decisions followed the presentation of the report of the House’s 12-member ad-hoc screening committee, chaired by Mojeed Fatai Adebola, representing Ibeju-Lekki Constituency I, during plenary.

Adebola disclosed that all five nominees appeared before the committee and were assessed based on constitutional provisions, relevant laws, their professional backgrounds, previous records, character, presentations, and responses during the screening exercise.

He said the evaluation was conducted in accordance with Sections 106 and 192 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, alongside other applicable statutory requirements.

Following the presentation, Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, subjected the committee’s recommendations to a voice vote, leading to the adoption of the report and the approval of three nominees, while the confirmation of the remaining two was put on hold.

Meanwhile, the Assembly has endorsed the introduction of mechanised sweeping operations along Section 1 of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, but insisted that the initiative must not result in the loss of jobs for manual street sweepers.

The lawmakers’ position followed the adoption of a report by an ad-hoc committee chaired by Olumoh S. L. (Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency) on an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order, ISPO, arrangement in favour of BlueCap Technology Limited for the sweeping project.

Presenting the report, Olumoh stated that officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, led by its Managing Director, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, informed the committee that manual sweeping methods alone were insufficient for maintaining cleanliness on highly populated road corridors.

While acknowledging the importance of adopting modern technology to improve sanitation standards and enhance road safety, lawmakers raised concerns over the possible effects of the project on the livelihoods of street sweepers, particularly women who rely on the job as a major source of income.

Speaker Obasa emphasised that the transition to mechanised cleaning must include measures to protect existing workers and ensure that technological advancement does not create unemployment.

The Assembly also requested greater transparency on the repayment structure and recovery process of the proposed ISPO, warning against exposing the state to unnecessary financial obligations.

Additionally, lawmakers directed the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget to include any outstanding financial commitments arising from the project in future budgetary plans to ensure proper financial management.