Fayemi promises new LGs before handing over

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said his administration will create new council areas before leaving office on October 16 this year.
Fayemi stated this on Tuesday while receiving the report of Local Government Creation Committee, led by Justice Akin Ajakaye (rtd), at the Governor’s Office.
The seven-member committee was inaugurated by the governor on January 15 this year, following the agitation from various communities across the state for autonomy and new council areas.
The committee was initially given three months to submit its report but had to ask for extension, which was granted by the government.
Presenting the report to Fayemi, Justice Ajakaye said the committee was given five terms of reference, which he helped it to carry out its assignment.
He expressed the hope that the committee’s reports and recommendations would assist the government to arrive at decisions that would be of benefit to agitating communities.
Ajakaye said the committee received 72 memoranda from 15 of the 16 council areas, adding that only Emure local government area did not submit memorandum.
“It is hoped that the recommendations of the committee meet the yearning of the people,” Ajakaye said.
Fayemi described government’s determination to create additional council areas as “another giant step” being taken by the government to meet the yearnings of the people.
He promised that the government would immediately put in place a White Paper committee to study the Ajakaye-led committee’s report.
The governor said the recommendations of the White Paper committee should be available for deliberation at the next State Executive Council meeting.
He commended the Ajakaye’s committee for “working tirelessly to realise one of the demands of our people since the inception of this administration”.