Ondo govt applauds LG chairmen for grassroots development

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The Ondo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has applauded the 18 local government chairmen of the state for keying into the grassroots development of the current administration in the state.

The Ministry’s Commissioner, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, stated this in Akure at a news briefing on the just-concluded inspection of 18 local government areas of the state by the ministry.

Takuro noted that the local government chairmen had been able to provide some basic amenities within the district months in office.

“We are glad that the local governments are alerted to their responsibilities: some have built markets, provided solar power and potable water and fixed bridges as well as gradedrural roads. They have also been able to get our youth engaged in agriculture to guarantee food security and create employment.

“Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has keyed into the vision of President Bola Tinubu in ensuring that there is grassroots development because without this, even the centre will suffer for it. They are the ones that provide food for us. So, if we make them uncomfortable, there will be problems,” he said.

The commissioner said that the 18 local governments had been able to save N15 billion in a joint account to carry out certain capital projects domiciled in their respective local government areas.

He said that the Aiyedatiwa-led administration was making sure that the local government administration would be able to impact grassroots needs.

Takuro recalled that the state government had partnered with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the state anti-graft agency to train chairmen and top management staff of local government on transparency and accountability.