Lagos Assembly moves to recover state assets, targets undocumented govt properties

…warns MDAs against absentism

The Lagos State House of Assembly has constituted an eight-member ad hoc committee to identify, document and facilitate the recovery of government-owned assets, warning that heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) who fail to honour its invitations will face sanctions.

The committee chairman, Hon. Obafemi Saheed (Kosofe II), gave the warning while overseeing the exercise, stressing that accountability and effective oversight remain core legislative responsibilities.

He said the exercise would establish a comprehensive inventory of state-owned assets, determine their status and ensure they are effectively utilised for the benefit of Lagos residents.

Saheed urged MDAs yet to submit the requested documents to do so without further delay and appear before the committee as scheduled.

He warned that heads of ministries, agencies and institutions who disregard the committee’s summons risked being subpoenaed, adding that the committee could seek the House’s approval for arrest warrants against recalcitrant individuals.

The MDAs that have appeared before the committee include the Lagos State New Town Development Authority (NTDA), Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, and the Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education, Tertiary Education, Wealth Creation and Employment, Lagos State Ferry Services, Lagos State Printing Corporation, Lagos State Agriculture Input Supply Authority and Lagos State Agriculture Development Authority.

During the engagements, the committee directed the agencies to submit comprehensive records of all assets under their custody, including undocumented properties, as part of efforts to verify ownership and facilitate the recovery of government assets.

The exercise will continue, with other MDAs expected to appear before the committee.