A recent press release by a major opposition party in Oyo stated that the non-performance of the party’s federal lawmakers is because the Oyo state Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde has hampered the performance of our local councils due to a lack of financial autonomy.
This piece looks into the following questions:
1.Are Local government councils financially hampered from delivering development?
2.Evaluate the performance of some chairmen across the state.
3.Are our councils better run under the financial system being used by the Seyi Makinde administration?
The framework that established local government as a third-tier government can be attributed to the 1976 local government reforms guidelines. The guideline chronicles local government as government at the local level exercised through a repertoire-presentative council, established by law to exercise specific powers within defined areas.
However, in typical Nigerian fashion, the local government as a third tier began to lose relevance and purpose, primarily due to military administration being basically unitary in nature.
Before the Seyi Makinde’s administration, the local government councils were plagued with widespread financial recklessness, unpaid salaries, and pensions. Councils owed up to 8 months of unpaid wages, it is therefore surprising that the party that supervised this painful period would cry wolf. The Seyi Makinde’s administration took the bull by the horns and designed a system of local government administration that was better supervised and with financial prudence. According to Jim Rohn, “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”
ARE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS FINANCIALLY HAMPERED FROM DELIVERING DEVELOPMENT?
Financial prudence, accountability, and ingenuity have been the framework by which the state government has been able to deliver unprecedented infrastructural, socio-cultural, and economic development in Oyo state. This framework should expectedly be applied to the local Government administration.
FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPMENT:
The Seyi Makinde’s administration came in at a crucial time for Oyo state; the country was going through financial constraints and also had the COVID pandemic, which hampered the economic activity of the country. As such, the local government could not have been allowed to function, without a workable framework that aligns with the times.
Salaries, pensions, and subventions are removed from the Local Government allocation by the state government; this ensures that Local government workers and pensioners receive their monthly salaries on or before 25th of every month.
All Local government councils have the right to request any developmental or infrastructural project in their local councils subject to the approval of the Honourable commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters and the Governor (for projects above N10m).
Some local governments are also located in economically viable areas where the internally generated revenue is substantial and administered solely by the local government administration.
With or without financial autonomy (direct allocation), it is unfair to state that the local councils in Oyo state have been hampered from development. To buttress this assertion, I will state the development that has occurred in some local government areas in the state in the last 8 months. While it is unrealistic to expect excellent performance by all chairmen, with the current financial framework some chairmen have continued to deliver dividends of governance to the grassroots.
The aforementioned local councils are just some of the performing chairmen but for a succinctly delivered article, we will focus on the dividends of good governance at 5 of the 33 local government councils.
IDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
(Hon. Sheriff Adeojo) 12 months developmental review.
Objectively stating the fact, Sheriff Adeojo has been in the media space for his good governance and delivery of development to the people at the grassroots. After earning his re-election as Ido council chairman, Adeojo has provided needed infrastructure and amenities, especially roads, security, food production, water, etc., for his people to enjoy a better life. Ido local government under Sheriff Adeojo is one of the few local governments that has implemented food production as a priority. Sheriff Adeojo can simply be referred to as Mr. Project for the Oyo State Local councils.
AGRICULTURE:
i. Adeojo’s administration has acquired hectares of land for Agriculture, and assured his constituents of adequate food production. His laudable projects on agriculture after resuming for the second term include the acquisition of 14acres of farmland on leasehold for arable crops cultivation,
ii. The Cultivation of 10acres of Cassava crops in the year 2024 planting season,
iii. The Cultivation of 3acres of Maize crops in the first planting season of the year 2024
iv. Cultivation of yam in the year 2024 planting season.
v. Adeojo sponsored Ido local government farmers to Akinyele local government secretariat, Moniya, for sensitization on Agric loan offer requirements;
vi. Within the 8 months of his second term, he empowered youths with farm inputs to encourage them in agriculture.
vii. Hon. Sheriff Adeojo in his innovative mind has established farmer’s school for capacity building of farmers.
viii. He also made provision of logistics to the Oyo state Ministry of Agriculture veterinary development on free animal vaccination in the Ido local government area.
ix. Adeojo, as council chairman who has a passion for agriculture, had renovated the Ido local government Dip Litter Chicken Pen for the commencement of full-time poultry farming
WATER RESOURCES
Sinking of the borehole at:
i. Ilaju, Aba-Odo, Elewe, Akindele, Onigbodogi, Awotan secondary school area, Arowosaye, Gorojo community and NNPC Cele road.
LIGHTING
Installation of 10 solar street lights across:
i. ward 1, Ward 2, Apete -Idi Igbaro, Toriola and environs, Idi-Iya, Sonso, Batake, Ladunni and Adegbite and Orobiyi.
ii. Financial support to Iso Pako, Ido town, with N1,000,000.00 (one million Naira) towards the installation of an electric transformer.
ROAD ACCESS
i. Grading across:
ward one, Akufo to Onigbinde Road, Akufo to Onigbinde Road, Abigbinde to Eleshin Road, Ologuneru, Abanla and Alafara roads, Balogun Toriola and environs, Ekerin community – Lifeforte road, Batake to Alaro to Olowa road, Ido to Papa Road and so much more.
ii. Rehabilitation of Elebu junction road, Olusoji road linking Oluyole extension.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
i. Supporting the Alakuta community project with the sum of N500,000.00 (five hundred thousand naira).
ii. Supporting the completion of the Alatare bridge with the sum of N1,000,000.00 (one million naira).
iii. Supporting the completion of the Mosoke-Osajin bridge with the sum of N1,000,000.00 (one million naira).
iv. Financial support to the Kajola-Olowa community with the sum of N250,000.00 (two hundred and fifty thousand naira) to complement the community efforts at Sonso Community High School.
v. Purchased and installed a transformer at Akilapa
vi. Construction of the Omituntun modern market
SECURITY.
i. Adeojo, while in office, had distributed several Motorcycles to security agencies. Some police stations that are major beneficiaries include Ile Ido Division, Apete Division, Omi Division, Kuola Division, Ido Division, Eleyele Division, Elebu Division, and Apata Police Station. Other agencies are: Ido DSS, Civil Defence, Ile-Ido NSCDC, Road Safety, Immigration, HVGN, Agbekoya, OPC, and Operation Burst.
ii. Procurement of generator for Apete police station,
iii. fixing of aluminum windows for Apete police station.
iv. Refurbishing of Ile-Ido patrol van,
v. Refurbishing of Apete police station patrol van.
vi. Refurbishing of the Ido immigration office.
vii. Refurbishment of NSCDC building, Camp.
viii. Establishment of Operation Burst at Ido with a fully furnished office.
ix. Adeojo also has distributed solar-powered lights to all the security posts in the Ido local government.
OLORUNSOGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT 8 Months Review(Hon. Qozeem Olayanju).
It took Olayanju, a former Oyo state House of Assembly member less than 3 months to justify Governor Seyi Makinde’s statement about local government areas being productive.
SECURITY
1. Hon. Olayanju has completed the total renovation of the former Oyo SUBEB building to accommodate the Department of State Services (DSS) in the area. The new headquarters building for the DSS in Igbeti, Olorunsogo local government was furnished with modern facilities.
2. He has delivered to the Police authority a newly constructed building to serve as area command headquarters for the Nigeria Police Force in Igbeti.
3. The council chairman, has also delivered two newly built Amotekun outposts for the recently inaugurated Amotekun Rangers.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
i. Within 100 days, Olayanju was also able to give his local government a befitting Town Hall. The dilapidated and abandoned Igbeti Television Viewing Centre now serves as a Multi-purpose Hall and event center for the residents of the local government.
ii. Olayanju, the chairman, has taken several precautionary measures against flooding in his council area, part of these include the dredging of the water channel and evacuation of debris under the Ayetoro and Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun linking bridge and the extension of the Santari water channel.
WATER RESOURCES
i. Installation of a motorized borehole at Gbodu community in the Oke ibukun area Igbeti.
ROAD REHABILITATION
i. Hon. Olayanju has flagged off the grading of 100km access roads with the local government, 38km Igbeti-Booni road, 22km Apata Alaje road while 40km will be shared amongst other communities
ADMINISTRATION
1. Hon. Olayanju embarked on repairing and servicing all the earth-moving equipment, such as low bed, bulldozer and the excavators. Presently, Olayanju’s local government has functional earth-moving equipment thereby enhancing agricultural production and productivity and sustaining infrastructure in the council area.
ELECTRICITY
i. Olayanju has also restored electricity to the council secretariat and its environment after a five-year blackout.
ii. His intervention has brought relief to the Keso community, where the repaired transformer has restored power to the area.
Click the link to watch a little highlight:
https://youtu.be/O50LEE_B0QA
IBADAN NORTHEAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Hon. Ibrahim Akinsola Akintayo
Another local government chairman who has been making a significant contribution to the development at the grassroots is Hon. Ibrahim Akinsola Akintayo, the Executive chairman of Ibadan Northeast local government.
Ibrahim Akintayo, a second-term local government chairman, is one of the Chairmen in Oyo state who is proving to the wolf criers that local government administration in the state is beautifully run with high benefit for people of the grassroots with or without autonomy. He is another Mr. project for the local council in Oyo state
AGRICULTURE
Construction of Garri Processing Factory. The Ibadan Northeast executive chairman, in his bid to bridge the gap between the growth in demand for convenience foods and availability in his local government, constructed a Garri Processing Factory; he was able to procure and install all necessary equipment for the factory. Some of this equipment includes machineries (Fabricated Machines, fryers, Presser, grinders, Garri packaging kits, etc.).
WATER
i. As council chairman, Akintayo has drilled several Boreholes for the residence of his local government. The drilling of a borehole at Yidi Oremeji and at some other locations by the chairman is regarded as a project currently addressing the water challenges among his people as well as improving their hygiene and general health and well-being.
ELECTRICITY
i. Reconnection of damaged electrical equipment for regular electricity supply across the Local Government.
ii. N1,000,000.00 (one million Naira) cash support to Salami Shomade community for repair of community transformer.
iii. N500,000.00 (Five hundred thousand Naira) cash support to Akeke Bashorun for transformer repairs
ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION
i. Grading of various roads across all the wards in the Local Government.
ii. Filling of Deplorable Road around Oloronbo Ojoo link Road with Latenje.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
i. His ongoing projects include the construction of an Ultra-Modern Motor Park with a Shopping Complex, a Mosque, and conveniences at the Gate Araromi Market.
ii. He continuously sponsors sporting and enlightenment programs for youths in his local government, including the concluded, sponsoring the activities of the Association of Football Coaches of Nigeria.
iii. General dredging of water ways across the local government.
iv. On-going PPP construction of over 300 lock-up shop at Jonku Market iwo-road.
v. On-going PPP construction of over 480 shops, garage and open stalls at Orita-aperin old dump-site.
vi. On-going upgrade of shops at Ogundipe market from wooden shops to a modern lock-up shop.
SECURITY
i. On-going construction of Operation Burst office at Adekile Goodwill Grammar School Area.
ii. The Local Government has also made significant contribution towards the purchase of police operational vehicle.
iii. Renovation of NSCDC building at Agugu.
EDUCATION
i. Promotion of the Adult Literacy Program, and organized inter-primary school debate competitions for primary school pupils in the local government.
ii. Jamb and Waec past exam questionnaire for secondary school.
HEALTHCARE
i. Rehabilitation of Lagelu-Ilupeju health-center at Oke-Ibadan.
ii. Engagement of additional health-workers.
iii. Refurbishment and upgrading of the Ibadan North-east mobile clinic
iv. Monthly distribution of drugs to health-centers across the local government.
v. Monthly health check-up for the aged.
vi. Facilitating a modern medical Laboratory at American Quarters Agodi.
Watch picture highlight: https://youtu.be/7_lao1XT5kc
LAGELU LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
KAMORUDEEN MUDASHIRU MORENIKEJI 8 months developmental review.
The administration of Hon. Kamorudeen Mudashiru Morenikeji in Lagelu local government has been marked with substantial development in various sectors and it is regarded as a testament of effective leadership at the grassroots. His ongoing administration has successfully executed significant projects across various sectors, including welfare, health, infrastructure, and human capital development. In less than a year in office,
SECURITY
i. Construction of the Amotekun Security Headquarters in Lagelu Village.
ii. On-going construction of building meant for security agencies.
WATER
Installation of motorized boreholes at the following locations
i. Council secretariat
ii. Aba-afaa at Olorunda Akobo
iii. Opposite Olorunda Police station
iv. Olowode village ward 11.
Infrastructure
i. Ongoing Construction of the 8.3km Akobo-ojurin/Odogbo barracks to Olorunda-abaa junction dual road
ii. On-going Wofun-Kute Road construction.
iii. Culvert at Morola.
iv. On-going culvert at Lalupon ward 8.
v. On-going Culvert at oke-Ago Okitimo Area.
vi. On-going Culvert at Lalupon ward 9.
vii. On-going construction of Tri-cycle, motocycles and micra garage at General gas Akobo.
viii. Grading of roads at various locations such as Lagun, Onikeke, Oke Aro, Adeoye village Alatamu village and so on.
ix. Donation of N2,000,000.00 (Two million Naira) for the On-going construction of block of classrooms at Arulogun Olorunda primary school ward 3.
ELECTRICITY
i. Procurement of new transformers for the following areas
a. Basorun Estate – Air force.
b. Akobo Ajara community.
c. Awotunde Elewuro.
d. Oke-Ibadan estate Oniyeye community Akobo
ii. Solar lighting of Primary and secondary schools across the 14 wards in Lagelu Local Government
TRADE AND INVESTMENTS
i. Launch of Lagelu -owned paint brand which will be used to paint the Local government secretariat.
ii. Establishment of the first Lagelu Palm Estate
iii. Revival of the Lagelu Garri production factory.
EMPOWERMENT
i. Essential supplies and cash empowerment for 150 beneficiaries – Inclusive of People Living with Disability (PLWD) Women Orphans.
ii. Payment of SSCE exam for 100 constituents.
HEALTH
i. Distribution of first aid Boxes to primary and secondary schools across 14 wards for improved school Health Services(SHS) Economy Cooperative credit Bank scheme for: New startups Local small business.
IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT (Hon. Seun Olufade) 8 months developmental review:
Despite being the youngest Executive local government Chairman and the most populous council area in Oyo state ever produced, Olufade was not deterred by his age and in less than a year, young Olufade continues to deliver on development for Ibadan North constituents.
SECURITY
i. To enhance nighttime security, the council chairman installed solar streetlights across all 12 wards of Ibadan North Local Government, ensuring the safety of lives and property.
ii. Olufade commissioned the NSCDC building to further strengthen security in the community.
iii. Funding for the renovation of Oluwo Police Station
EDUCATION
i. The local government organized a quiz competition among secondary schools in Ibadan North with full responsibility for sponsoring the emerged winners education until he completes his tertiary education.
ii. The chairman also catered for the WAEC fees for all participants in the competition.
iii. The council chairman, in his effort to address girls essential needs, distributed sanitary pads to secondary school girls across the local government in celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child.
iv. Hon. Olufade is also set to donate 730 tables and chairs to primary schools to enhance learning condition.
HEALTH
i. The council chairman has sponsored 150 individuals for health insurance under the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA), which gives the beneficiaries access to free medical treatment for a year.
ii. On-going processing of health insurance for a further 150 constituents
AGRICULTURE.
i. To ensure food security within our local government, Ibadan North local government, under the administration of Hon. Olufade, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
ii. Furthermore, the Local Government has allocated 10 acres of land to local farmers to boost agricultural production.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
i. Installed motorized borehole in the following locations
a. Loko street Sango.
b. UCH ward 10.
c. Atenda ward 4.
d. Ifelodun.
ii. Constructed eight public toilet cubicles.
iii. Commissioned an ultramodern shopping complex named Idumota Gate.
iv. Commissioned ultramodern lock-up shops in Bodija Market, boosting the local economy and supporting businesses.
v. Donation of ₦1 million to support the victims of the Gbaremu fire incident.
vi. On-going construction of a new NULGE office.
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
i. Asphalt laying of the 4km Sabo-Jembewon Road has been completed.
ii. 4km Agodi – olive court road.
iii. Grading of over 20km road.
Worthy of mentioning is the current 5.123 km ongoing road construction by Hon. Sikiru Sanda of Egbeda local Government which starts from Monatan – Adogba – Ebenezeri with spur to Nigerian breweries.
Hon Akeem Olatunji, who was the former PDP PRO has been able to justify his 8months as the executive chairman of Oluyole Local Government with the provision of 100 solar light (300 watts) for ten [10] wards in Oluyole Local Government Area. He has renovated the youth center at Onila to serve as Amotekun New Base distributed free school uniforms and distributed free exercise books for secondary school students in Oluyole L.G.
Hon. Kehinde Akande of Ibadan Southwest Local Government just completed 1.2km Alalubosa road, construction of a s
