Community leaders counsel governor on sustenable development

Community leaders in Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara have appealed to Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed to give more priority to sustainable development at the grassroots during his second term.

Reacting to the re-election of Ahmed, the leaders told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu Aran that their desire was for the governor to address the issue of decaying  infrastructure.

“Bad road network remains a critical factor that requires urgent attention by the government under its rural integration initiative,’’ the leaders said.

They  congratulated the governor on his victory at the polls, describing his re-election as demonstration of the people’s confidence in his administrative capability.

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, said the large turn-out of voters in Omu-Aran in the last election was a demonstration of the people’s  expectation of  government to address their developmental challenges.

“First of all I want to congratulate the governor-elect and other winners in the just concluded elections for their God ordained victories.

“The government’s rural integration project has been on for sometime now which cut across health, education, transportation, accommodation and so on.

“I think the initiative deserve more attention from government in the new dispensation to achieve meaningful impact on the populace.

“There is the need for more funding through adequate budget allocation for the councils which are believed to be the closest to the people to develop the communities,” Ibitoye said.

Similarly, Chief Atolagbe Suleiman urged the governor-elect to intervene and facilitate the reopening of commercial banks that had suspended operation in the town over a year ago.

Suleiman, who holds the traditional title of Oloo of Omu-Aran, said the continued closure of the banks had done more harm than good to the commercial and economic activities of the people in the area.

“I think government needs to urgently intervene to alleviate the sufferings of the residents who have to travel over 75 kilometres to neighbouring states to do banking transactions,” he said.

Also, Chief Bisi Owolabi, the Akeweje of Omu-Aran, expressed the need for government to reciprocate the mandate freely given by the people to improve their living standard.

He listed decaying infrastructure and lack of teachers in community schools as well as improved health, education and road network as areas that needed urgent government attention.

“The people have actually demonstrated their support to government through their votes.

“It is therefore left to the government to also reciprocate this gesture by embarking on projects that would add value to  the people’s living standard,’’ he said.