By Gbenga Sodeinde In Ado Ekiti
Local government administrators in the country have been advised to partner with traditional institutions to ensure the growth and development at the grassroots.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Hon Tunde Omotoso who gave the advice also hailed President Bola move to reorganize local government administration in Nigeria for effective delivery
Hon. Omotoso spoke in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital at his Ward 1 while declaring his intention to vie for the Chairmanship of Ado Ekiti local government in the state December council poll.
The former two term supervisor for works and an elected councillor at the council said credit must go to President Tinubu who is trying to effect some changes at that level of government to better the lots of the people.
The APC leader who called for the prayers and support of the people for him to get to the exalted position said “I am going to serve you and not to enrich myself, with your support, I will establish cordial relationship with Governor Biodun Oyebanji for the betterment of our council by complementing his development programmes and policies”.
He added, “For some time now, the local government has not been what it used to be in term of its functionality and how it is being administered .
“But from the reports we heard, in the recent time, we have got to know that the monthly allocation to the local governments have increased considerably. That means it will enable the administrators at that level to have more resources to deploy and perform better than the people of the past , so with the the repositioning process and funds now coming to the local councils being used judiciously, definitely the system will be better for it.
“Now that the reorganization in the system and the improved allocation is now happening, the onus is now on the council chairmen to do things judiciously and appropriately”.
On the collaboration with the traditional institutions, he said “Traditionally, councils belongs to our refered traditional rulers and they should be accorded that respect. I will use my position as the Chairman of Ado Ekiti local government to synergize with the Ewi-in-council as the custodian of our tradition to promote the interest of the traditional institution in the council for the development of the area. I will always work and collaborate with Ewi-in-council to ensure that Ado Ekiti move forward”
Speaking on why he joined the contest and his plan if elected , Hon. Omotoso said, “I felt there is need the for us to move in and see what we can do to transform the system. With my wealth of experience in local government administration we can make things happen for our people at the grassroots.
“Part of plan when elected is to widen the base and shore up the internally generated revenue of the council to that we can enough funds to the council to embark on more project and make sure that the life and living stand of the people are better than we met it and I will not play politics with the needs of my people. So we should all gear up for the task ahead.
“I will do things differently to the betterment of the whole local government. We shall also work with all religious and ethnic interest groups in Ado local government for love and unity among the people”.