The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraju Ishola Adekunbi, says the legislative arm of government remains an integral part of any democratic government which is meant to enact people oriented legislations, agitate for their needs, expectations and aspirations of the people.
Adekunbi stated this while declaring open a-two-day seminar tagged: “Enhancing the Legislative Powers for Socio-Economic Development at Local Government level in Ogun State”, organised by the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for all the Councillors in the Local Government Council Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) in the State held in Abeokuta.
He said that the electorate expected the provision of democratic dividends across the State, hence the need for the councillors to collaborate with their chairmen to deliver on their electioneering promises, pointing out that the seminar was organised with a view to further building the capacity and enhancing the skills of parliamentarians at the grassroot level to avail them the opportunity to consolidate on the developmental strides of the present administration at the grassroot level.
He attributed the monumental transformation being recorded by the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration in the State since its assumption of office in 2011 to the existing working relationships among the State House of Assembly and other arms of government.
The Speaker sought for the need to collaborate and ensure the enactment of enabling laws at the Local Council level to complement the delivery of democratic dividends to the electorate, just as he charged the participants to take a cue from the State Assembly by promoting harmonious relationships with all relevant stakeholders to aid socio-economic growth and development of the State.
Adekunbi, who lauded Governor Amosun for demonstrating good virtues through quality leadership and credible representation, commended the councillors for their support, cooperation and perseverance, while admonishing them to see political office as a privilege to serve the people.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, said that the seminar was an avenue to harness ideas and strategies towards enhancing the capacity of councillors in the Council areas.
Ojuko, who explained that the training programme was meant to channel an enduring legacy for optimum performance of the third tier of government, affirmed the need to put in place more plans to provide basic amenities to the electorate.
In their separate goodwill messages, a member representing Ikenne State Constituency, Hon. Olusola Sonuga, Senior Special Adviser (Political Matters) to the Governor, Chief Derin Adebiyi and Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Comrade Rotimi Rahman commended the organisers for putting in place the seminar for the 345 participants, which they noted would help promote good governance at the local council areas.
They remarked that the seminar would equip the councillors with current trend in local government administration in line with the best global practices to complement the present administration at the various levels local government councils and LCDAs in the State.
Packaged by Hazeez Ayansola
