Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has advised the council chairmen elected in the recently-concluded poll to be fully prepared for good governance, saying that he won’t tolerate financial recklessness and ineptitude that could derail development in the councils.
He said that the incoming administration across the 16 councils and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) must be ready to surpass the tempo of development projects being executed by the current occupants of the seats.
Oyebanji, who stated that the government would resist any act of sabotage, said that councils in the state are now executing projects in education, health, human capital development and agriculture sectors, leveraging on financial independence being enjoyed.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Monisade Afuye, gave these admonishments in Efon, headquarters of Efon Local Council, yesterday, while commissioning some projects initiated and completed by Chairman of the council, Olabode Adetunji.
He lauded the council’s leadership for delivering democracy dividends to the people by replicating projects encapsulated under the six-point policy thrust of his government in local councils.
“Let me assure you that the incoming council bosses that will soon assume their respective offices in all the council areas will be made to sustain the tempo of development already ushered in by the current occupants of the seats.
“This government won’t allow any laxity that can derail the focus to make our councils more functional in Ekiti State. I congratulate those elected in the just-concluded election for their victories. God will help them to succeed,” the governor said.
He further said that his belief that the councils being the closest tier of government to the masses and rural dwellers must be made functional through financial autonomy remains unshaken.
Meanwhile, Adetunji commended Oyebanji for allowing the councils unfettered access to their funds, saying this has gone a mileage in helping his colleagues to deliver on their campaign promises.
