The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has promised not to renege on his fanatical belief that the local governments should be allowed to operate independently without hindrance or interference in the state.
Oyebanji said the high level of financial and administrative independence being savoured by Ekiti councils, was responsible for the high spate of development at the third tier of government.
The Governor spoke while speaking on Tuesday, during the commissioning of projects and empowerment of citizens at Ikere West Local Council Development Area, championed by the administration of the incumbent Chairman, Hon Rufus Olorunfemi.
The projects commissioned include boreholes and distribution of cocoa seedlings, solar lights, grinding machines, helmets, generating sets, herbicides, watering cans, knapsack sprayers, fans, hair dryers, among others.
Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said it is a disservice to the people to stifle the local government system, where over 70% of Nigerians are resident.
He commended the Chairman of the council and his team for revving up the pedal of development, urging the beneficiaries not to sell off the materials distributed to them.
Oyebanji said the state government will continue to provide the needed impetus that will make the councils more functional, by not interfering in how their statutory allocations are expended, warning that financial profligacy won’t be tolerated under any guise.
“My joy stems from the fact that local governments are now financially independent and more robust to undertake projects that can touch the lives of the people positively under Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s government.
“This buttresses the fact that the current government believes that the local governments as the closest to the people must be functional and free to discharge their statutory duties to the populace.
“I appreciate the Chairman of the LCDA and his team for displaying high level of competency in the management of the council in line with the policy thrust of our government.
“I am of the view that the borehole, solar streets and cocoa seedlings that will be distributed to our farmers will help increase our basic amenities and public utilities as well as help in expanding the scope of plantation agriculture in our dear state.
“We all know the level of profits made by cocoa farmers in their proceeds in 2024. Under this context, I consider encouragement in cocoa plantation as very strategic for our farmers at this crucial time”.
Oyebanji appealed to the people to imbibe maintenance culture and ensure that the facilities provided are monitored to prevent any damage, saying the culture of vandalism and destruction of government facilities must cease in the interest of all of us.
The local government chairman, Hon Rufus Olorunfemi, declared the council’s unshakeable backing for the second term bid of governor Oyebanji and his Deputy, saying the Ikere community will reciprocate their transformational drives with votes in 2026 governorship poll.
The LCDA boss saluted Governor Oyebanji for keeping steely to his promise, and allowed the local government to enjoy financial independence, saying this has propelled him to do more.
Olorunfemi assured that his administration will continually complement the government at the state level in the area of infrastructure, rural development, agriculture , human development, and growth of the rural economy, to transform the LCDA to an epicentre of development .