Nigeria Content Online

Following the
inauguration of the Local Government Creation Committee by the Ondo
State government, some stakeholders in the state have urged the
committee to expedite action on the assignment.

The committee is
expected to complete its assignment in two months. Some individuals
have argued that the creation of councils in the state is belated. They
maintain that the state deserves more than the 18 councils it currently
has.

Jimoh Abu of the
Action Congress of Nigeria and Sunday Afelumo of the Labour Party said
northern states had benefited from council creation at the expense of
the South West states.

Mr Afelumo, who is
the caretaker chairman of Akoko North East, said creation of more
councils in Ondo State would bring rapid development to the grassroots.

He said, “Creation
of local councils is long overdue in Ondo State. It is sad that some
states in the north have more local governments than we in the South
West.

“Some councils
which are not up to a local government have been divided to two or
three councils. Kano is a good example of this. I think the decision of
the state government to create new councils is a welcome development.

“Our council, Akoko
North East can be divided into three different councils because of its
largeness. If the council can be divided into three, it will bring
rapid development to the grassroots”.

Mr Afelumo added
that the idea of local government creation being proposed by the state
government should be supported by all the indigenes of the state
without party affiliation

“This is not a party issue; it is an issue that has to do with the
development of the state. Every political party including those in the
opposition should back the idea,” he added.