Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state on Monday charged the newly elected local government chairmen in the state to desist from relying on federal government allocations but find a way to generate funds within their council areas.
The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, OGSIEC, headed by Mr Babatunde Osibodu, had declared the chairmen who contested under the platform of All Progressive Party as the winner of all the 20 LGAs in the last Saturday council election
But, Abiodun, while inaugurating the newly elected chairmen at the Arcade Ground of the State Secretariat in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital, urged the chairmen to consider generating money internally rather than relying on federal government monthly allocation.
The governor, who emphasised that the allocation was not enough to give the people at the grass root level the expected development, admonished them to create a means of improving on their Internally Generated Revenue, IGR,
According to him, their election was a call to service at the locals, saying that one of the best ways to foster development at the council was to incorporate the Public Private Partnership, PPP, model for the prosperity of the people.
Abiodun charged the chairmen to take cue from his administration by being transparent, accountable, just, equitable and fair, advising them not to over burden their people but be systematic and strategic in the allocations of funds.
He, however, assured that his administrations would continue to support the third tiers of government with funds where necessary and would not relent in formulating policies and implement people-oriented programmes for the development of the state
The governor said “You must also understand that you cannot rely exclusively on allocations from the federal government. You will have to be creative in generating funds internally, and incorporate the public-private-partnership (PPP) model.”
“But in doing this, you cannot afford to over-burden the people who are the essence and facilitators of your being in power. You should take a cue from our approach at the State level by being cerebral; methodical; systemic and ensure strategic allocation of funds.”
“Let me assure you all that our administration at the state level, will continue to support our LGAs with funds where and when necessary and our administration will continue to formulate policies and implement programmes that are people-friendly.” he added.
He, therefore, lauded OGSIEC for its efforts in conducting and free and fair election and also security operatives for making the election violent free, calling on the chairmen not to betray the trust of the party and their people, but ensure good governance to improve their standard of living.