By: Oluwatosin Adesola
There was a confusion today at the public hearing of the Ondo State House of Assembly on the proposed 33 new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) as two communities of Akure and Isinkan in the present Akure South local government area of Ondo State, differed on the creation of Akure West LCDA with headquarters in Isinkan which almost degenerated into fisticuffs.
SUNSHINETRUTH gathered from the venue of the event at The DOME, Akure, that trouble started when the representatives of Akure South made their presentation before the panel and the traditional ruler of Isinkan community, the Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Oluwagbemiga Olofin- Adimula, was prevented from speaking by some Akure youths, claiming that they have spoken with one voice.
However, after several minutes of uproar, the Isinkan monarch was allowed to make a brief presentation, commending the state government over the creation of Akure west LCDA but advocated that the name should be changed to Isinkan or Isokan LCDA.
Oba Oluwagbemiga noted that the new LCDA will bring development to the people of the community and bring local government closer to the people.
The Akure people through one of their spokespersons, Hon Afe Olowookere demanded special status and creation of more LCDAs in Akure being the state capital, couple with their high population, while they frowned at the location of the LCDAs Headquarters in the area.
Meanwhile, the people of Ikare Akoko in the current Akoko Northeast spoke with one voice to demand creation of at least two LCDAs in the town considering their population with 11wards.
The people of Ese-Odo staged peaceful protest in Akure to submit their grievances as most of Ijaw communities have been mapped into Ìlájé and Irele council areas.
Responding to the demands of the people at the public hearing of the proposed LCDAs, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt Non. Olamide Oladiji said the Assembly would look into their grievances as soon as possible.
The speaker commended the visionary leadership of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for choosing to tow the line of other southwest states which had earlier created their LCDAs With a view to fast-tracking development at the grassroots.
Oladiji however cautioned that the Akeredolu’s administration would not hesitate to cancel or suspend the creation of Local Council Development Areas in any community or Local Government areas where there is crisis or court injunctions.
