Ondo Assembly pushes for stronger grassroots governance
By Elizabeth Oyeniwa
The Ondo State House of Assembly has pledged stronger collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as well as the Local Government Service Commission to improve grassroots governance and ensure effective service delivery across the State.
The pledge was made when the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oluwatoyin Japhet, led other members of the committee on a visit to the two institutions in Akure.
The Chairman appreciated the ministry’s cooperation with the Assembly while underscoring the importance of synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government. He emphasized the need for training and workshops for newly elected councillors and clerks, warning that lack of proper guidance could lead to unnecessary conflicts between council chairmen and legislative houses at the local government level.
He further stressed the importance of the effective implementation of the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) urging the ministry to work closely with the Assembly committee to develop an efficient plan for their operations.
Other committee members including Vice Chairman, Hon Chris Ayebusiwa, Messiah Hon Allen, Olatunji Fabiyi, Hon Afe Felix, and Hon Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju commended the commission for improvements in local government management. They noted that local governments remain the closest tier of government to the people, assuring the ministry and commission of the Assembly’s support to achieve set goals.
“We will continue to ensure proper monitoring of local governments and sustain synergy with all stakeholders for effective service delivery,” the lawmakers stated.
Earlier ,the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, commended the lawmakers for their cooperation over the years. “We’ve had our challenges, but we’ve always collaborated and involved the committee in our plans to improve services for our people,” he said.
Takuro acknowledged the crucial oversight role of the Assembly and noted the progress recorded so far, particularly in areas such as part of pensioners’ gratuity clearance, physical projects, strengthening security, social services and monarchs’ welfare across the 18 local governments.
He disclosed that a comprehensive report on staff recruitment would soon be submitted to the governor, while the ministry was also working on amending the Local Government and Chieftaincy Law to reflect present-day realities.
On LCDAs, the commissioner said the ministry had been proactive to ensure they function optimally.
At the Local Government Service Commission, the Chairman, Femi Idris, lauded the lawmakers’ visit and highlighted reforms within the commission.
He explained that the commission, which supervises four establishments, had eliminated delays in workers’ promotions and ensured greater punctuality and discipline among staff. However, he noted that many critical officers were retiring, stressing the urgent need to engage new hands.
Idris further revealed that the present administration had approved career progression up to Level 17 for Heads of Local Government Administration (HoLGAs), who are now aspiring to be elevated to permanent secretary status.
He also disclosed that the commission had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), to enhance the functionality of the staff training school, with plans to introduce degree programmes soon.
While some workers have already been posted to the LCDAs, Idris admitted that the new councils still require more structured planning to achieve optimal performance.
Both the ministry and the commission thanked the lawmakers for their oversight visit, assuring them of continued partnership to deepen grassroots governance and improve service delivery across Ondo State.
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