By Press Release
The Ondo State Government and has applauded the 18 Local Government Chairmen of the state for unprecedented grassroot development within six months in office.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro stated this in Akure at a news briefing after an inspection of the 18 Local Government Areas of the State.
Takuro noted that the Local Government Chairmen had been able to provide some basic amenities within six months in office.
“ We are glad that the Local Governments are alive to their responsibilities: some have built Markets, provided Solar Power, Potable Water and fixed bridges, constructed Culverts and line drainages, desilted drainages, cleared Road Verges, well as grading of rural roads.
“ They have also been able to get our youth engaged in agriculture to guarantee food security and create employment.
“ Mr Governor 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 government has paid Gratuities of Local Government Retirees of 2010 to 2013 with over twelve billion Naira.
Takuro explained that the State Governor felt the plight of retirees of in the state and decided to clear the backlog of gratuities unable to be paid by his predecessors.
“ On gratuities alone, we have spent over N12 billion to pay Local Government Retirees between 2010 and 2013 because these people have provided their services meritoriously to the people of Ondo State.
“They have retired for many years and they haven’t been paid , though not under this administration but government is a continuum.
“For ten to fifteen years, these people have not been paid and Mr Governor then called us to look at it and save money for the purpose of paying the retirees.
“ Mr Governor is passionate about these people and has taken good leadership step to address the situation. By next week, we will begin bulk payment of the gratuities of those that retired in 2014.
He stated said that when he assumed office, it was worrisome that some Retirees tried to negotiate with him in order to be paid their gratuities, the offer which he said he rebuffed.
“When I resumed office, 80 per cent of people that came to my office for help were Pensioners; they would even be negotiating , telling me that they would give me particular percentage just for them to be paid their Graduities.
“ I felt sorry for them and I said we must do something to address their plights and that they don’t need to know me, the Governor or any body in government before being paid their gratuities.
“ We had to provide good leadership and we made arrangements with Chairmen of the 18 Local Government areas of the State. And they agreed too that something must be done and we started saving money for that purpose. At least we have done it for like five times now,” 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 is able to deliver dividends of good governance to the grassroots.
Takuro recalled that the State Government had partnered with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the State’s Anti Graft Agency to train Chairmen and top management staff of Local Government on transparency and accountability.
With this partnership between the State and Local Government, Ondo State would soon become a model and reference point nationally he said.
Abooluwa Famakinwa,
Head, Media and publicity unit, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
