The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said that the objective of his administration in setting up a committee on Local Government creation is very clear with respect to the constitutional mandate of Nigeria.
The Deputy Governor, Otunba Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, while delivering an address on behalf of Aregbesola at the training workshop on creation of new local governments in Osun State at the Royal Park Hotel in Iloko, held that the present task to undertake a comprehensive review of local councils in the state was demanded by the people.
Aregbesola noted that local government councils have the capacity and the legitimacy to bring development to the state, adding that proposed councils to be created as demanded by the people will lay the foundation for grassroots governance that is democratically elected and sovereign.
According to the governor: “It is in fulfillment of this objective that we set out very clearly, a process that is constitutional and transparent as the foundation to fulfilling the aspiration of our people to create new local governments.
“When I inaugurated this committee, they were issued with clear terms of reference which include guidelines for creation of councils in compliance with provisions of section 7(2)(a) and (b) of the 1999 constitution and ensuring that creation are in conformity with section 8(3),(4) and (6) of the 1999 constitution.”
He stressed that as part of government’s commitment to assist the committee to fulfill its mandate, government through its technical committee organised the training for three days.
The governor held that it is imperative that all those charged with various responsibilities by the constitution are further empowered to discharge their duties to the highest possible standard.
Earlier while delivering a paper titled: ‘Creation of New Local Governments under the 1999 Constitution’ at the training, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), identified three points to be considered in creating a council under Section 7 (2) of the 1999 Constitution.
Osinbajo listed the three points as the common interest of the community in the area, traditional association of the community and the administrative convenience.
The Chairman of creation of new Local Governments in the State of Osun, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, in his welcome address said the call for memoranda by the committee has received enthusiastic responses from far and near, noting that submission of memoranda is ongoing till the end of the week.