Irewolede Area CDC Seeks Approval For Speedy Development

CITING need for rapid development of communities across the area, Lisa town, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State and its adjoining communities have appealed to the state government to hasten the process that would ensure the establishment of Irewolede Area Community Development Committee (ACDC).

  The area boasts of over 70 Community Development Associations (CDAs), which cut across Lisa, Ademokula, Sonde, Alapandi and Alaagba, among other communities with over 7,000 people.

   A fortnight ago, the inspection team from the governor’s office, Abeokuta, which comprise of top directors and other officials at the local government level, visited the area to examine the readiness of the CDAs in preparation for registration.

   The Baale of Lisa community, Chief Najeem Oladele Odugbemi, where the communities converged to meet the visitors, told the mammoth crowd that the communities are ready, noting that they have complied with all the requirements laid down by the law for approval.

  “The law has it that you must have not less than 40 CDAs to be granted CDC, but to God be the glory, we have over 70 to 80 CDAs.

  Odugbemi said the journey started officially in 2007, a year after he was enthroned as the head of the community, stressing that the essence of setting up the CDC is to ensure development in all ramification in all the communities, without relying solely on government.

   Said he, “ With all we have been able to achieve, our proposal has been approved in principle. The CDC would serve as a platform for rapid development; it is going to stir up competition among the CDAs, to contribute meaningfully to the development of the communities. Without a platform like CDC you cannot reach out to government for development as a body.      

  “Government only deals with recognised and registered bodies. It will be a platform where development can start, you’ll be marveled by the time we would be celebrating our one-year of registration, our CDC would be number one in the state, as far as projects are concerned. Whatever government is doing will be complemented, there cannot be any grant to any community without establishing a CDC, it is like fourth-tier of government.”  

   The Pro tem Chairman of the proposed CDC, Apostle Akinsola Akinwale, told The Guardian that their aim is to draw government closer to the grassroots. 

He noted that the move was part of efforts of the communities to partner with government in their own little ways by doing things they need to put in order like drainage for the communities and other projects for the benefits of all.

  Another CDA representative, Oluwatosin Abdulazeez, said more than the fact that they wanted a CDC, geographically, the communities are surrounded by water, hence the need for government to open up the area for the benefit of the state and people around, saying if it is well harnessed they can add to the socio-economic development of the state.