…assures of all the enablement to make them perform their constitutional duties effectively.
As they journey on the task ahead of them in the administration of Local Government affairs, the twenty (20) local government chairmen met the captain of “Building our Future Together” ship, Governor Dapo Abiodun to officially interface and fashion a way forward at ensuring even distribution of dividends of Democracy to the grassroots
While it was important to put forward their genuine appreciation for their success at the pole and their choice as the preferred candidate to be entrusted with the people’s mandate, the need to also channel their desire for meaningful representation appropriately was tabled before Governor Dapo Abiodun through the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Afolabi Afuape
According to the commissioner, the local government is closer to the grassroots and it stands the chance of positively projecting government at the State level hence the need for proper synergy between both tiers of government
He further emphasized that the past administration did not put in place the ideal platform for L.Gs to function well and this has negatively affected local government administration in the past adding that the current L.G bosses have identified some grey areas such as monthly JAC meetings, Proper implementation of government policies among others as the needed impetus to drive home the “Building our Future Together” Vision of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
In his charge to the L.G chairmen, Governor Dapo Abiodun says “local government is an essential part of governance” he however seeks for their support at all levels of governance in the State
Among other things considered key at ensuring the Socio-Economic growth of the State, Governor Abiodun laid emphasis on the issue of security, pointing out that some security-threatened communities in particular must be prioritized by the concerned chairmen
Governor Abiodun hinted on plans to bring back the defunct Joint security task force OPMESA to further strengthen the State’s security
While also tasking the chairmen to think of how they will be congratulated after their tenure, Governor Abiodun maintained that everything shall be done to sustain the peace being enjoyed in the State as Ogun State remains the most peaceful State in Nigeria
As against speculations in some quarters, Governor Dapo Abiodun says his administration has never tampered with the monthly allocation of the 20 local governments in the state from the federal government but rather the State government has been assisting by augmenting their allocations to enable them perform their constitutional roles and function effectively.
He explained that his administration has always made up for the shortfalls from the federal allocation to the local governments, to be able to pay staff salaries, pensions and execute developmental projects.
The Governor noted that it was part of his campaign promises to ensure the local governments have a free hand to run their affairs, adding that as a tier of government, they can work with the state government. And being the closest to the people, if they are empowered, they can complement the State Government’s efforts at taking the State to a greater heights.
“Your are not just a salary paying institution, your are a tier of government and a partner in progress. We will empower you to function to the fullest, your constitutional roles as chairmen in deed and in truth” Abiodun submitted.
Governor Abiodun therefore challenged the chairmen to embark on projects that would have a direct and positive impacts on the people so that Ogun State would be left better than it was met.
