Oyo State governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has said that contrary to the insinuations about his views on the ongoing debate on local government autonomy in the country, he is not opposed to them as the third tier of government.
Apparently reacting to those who felt that he was not at home with the independence of the local government, Governor Makinde said he had no issue whatsoever with elected officials performing their constitutional duties but would continue to speak against lacuna that was created where none existed.
Governor Makinde made the clarification when he officially commissioned the newly built Local Government House and Staff Training School, located inside the Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan.
“What I will refer as an irony is the fact that, it is the same local government that people are going around town saying Seyi Makinde is trying to destroy the local government administration.
“Is it not ironic that this building we are commissioning is the first modern building for the local government family to stay in? Is this how to destroy something? Well if that is the way to destroy something, we will continue to do this kind of a thing so that they will not have anything to say again around town.
“Let me say this; in a country where there is a trust deficit between the leaders and the led, it is no wonder that some people will always take advantage of situation to fan the flames of disunity or choose to push unintended narratives and perceptions.
“I’m here to repeat myself unequivocally, I am not against elected representatives of the people carrying out their constitutional duties, but what I will speak up against is anyone trying to create a constitutional lacuna where none exists or to turn one arm of government against the other.
“Here in Oyo State under my watch, we will continue to make decisions that will bring the full benefit of democracy to the good people of Oyo state. And we are aware of the role that the local government authorities have to play in ensuring that democracy and its dividends reach people at the grassroots,” Governor Makinde said.
He charged that the people must always remember to identify the real enemies “so that we do not turn against our friends.
“But in design, this is supposed to be the function of the local government areas but in practice, there have been several factors that have militated against local government areas achieving this goal.”
“When I came in here, the NULGE President’s representative said we have ad hoc staff, they are pleading that about 2,000 local government workers have retired and they have not been replaced and they suggested that we convert some of these ad hoc staffs to permanent local government staffs.
“So, we will continue to work and coordinate with the local government so that our visions at the state, we can also sell to the administrators at the local government level and when there is synergy we can achieve more.”
Governor then directed the conversion into full staff of the ad hoc staff across the 33 local government areas in the state.
“So, for the ad hoc staff, since we still have the control to take decisions, which I’m sure the local government people will gladly accept, you will be converted.
“I will give the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters about four weeks to follow due process, interview the people and the ones you find that can be employed, let us employ them so that we can bridge that gap,” he added.
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