The Ondo state government on Monday said the newly created Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state would soon commence operations, disclosing that all facilities for the take-off of the LCDAs had been put in place.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, disclosed this during an interface with the traditional rulers from Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency and the lawmaker representing the constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Festus Akingbaso.
Takuro who ascertained the level of preparedness said the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, had ordered the Ministry to move around all the newly created LCDAs to assess the facilities on the ground to see if they could commence operations.
According to him, about 80 percent of the newly created 33 LCDAs have facilities good enough to start off operations, assuring that Akeredolu would return to the state to flag off the commencement of operations in all the LCDAs across the state.
The commissioner said: “Previous administrations had promised to create the LCDAs, but they didn’t. The governor asked us in the Ministry to see if there are facilities in the LCDAs to take off. Over 80 percent of the LCDAs have facilities to commence operations.
“We want to seek for everybody’s cooperation. We know what the governor went through when things were tough. For the peace we are enjoying today in our state, it is due to Governor Akeredolu’s efforts. Very soon he will be in the state live and direct.
“All the local government belongs to you for easy take-off. In a few weeks’ time, we will be through with our report and the governor will pronounce their take-off.”
Speaking during the interface, the Federal lawmaker, Akingbaso, said the interface between the ministry and stakeholders from the Ifedore/Idanre federal constituency became necessary to know what needed to be done for the take-off of the six LCDAs in his constituency.
Akingbaso who promised to donate N20m for the take-off of the LCDAs in the Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency, said: “As a stakeholder, I am willing to support this initiative, the LCDAs that fall within our federal constituency shall be supported.
“Let me also assure you as a federal legislator, whenever there’s an availing opportunity to convert these LCDAs into fully functional local government areas, I shall be a front burner.
“I hereby donate N20 million for the LCDAs in my federal constituency, Idanre/Ifedore federal Constituency. I will always be in touch with all the local government areas and LCDAs to see how we can move forward.
“I know they would need furniture, computer wares, air conditioners and other appliances and equipment to work with ”
The Local Government commissioner however appreciated the lawmaker and said “Committees for take-off in all the LCDAs have been constituted and whatever assistance any stakeholders wish to offer the LCDAs should go through the committees.
“The Directors/acting chairmen of all the local government councils have nothing to do with the running of the LCDAs.”
In his remarks, the Olowa and Paramount Ruler of Igbara-Oke, Ifedore Local Government Area, Oba Adefarakanmi Agbede, emphasised that the creation of the new LCDAs would make a great impact in the development of all the communities within the new LCDAs.
He assured the state government of the unflinching support of the traditional rulers in the federal Constituency for the achievement of the reasons for the creation of the LCDAs by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
His counterpart, the Owa and Paramount Ruler of Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area, Oba Fredrick Aroloye, who was represented by High Chief Mere Akinnawonu, said the creation of the LCDAs was a giant stride to development at the grassroots.
The traditional rulers appreciated the representative of the Federal Constituency at the National Assembly for the great support and donation for the take-off of the LCDAs.
They described Akingbaso as a round peg in a round hole, saying he has been giving the people developmental representation right from when he was a local government chairman.
Chief Clement Faboyede, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commended Governor Akeredolu for making good the promise to create LCDAs, noting that it transcends political affiliations.
He urged the governor to ensure that the forthcoming local government election holds by January for the smooth running of the third tier of government in the state.
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