HIS Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Victor Ademefun Kiladejo Jilo 111, Osemawe and Paramount Ruler of Ondo Kingdom. The Chairman, Ondo State Committee on the creation of New Local Government Areas and his entourage, the Chairman Ondo West Local Government, the Chairman Ondo East Local Government, Kabiyesi, High Chiefs, Distinguished Ladies and Gentleman.
On behalf of the Osemawe and Paramount Ruler of Ondo Kingdom and indeed all Ondo people worldwide, I heartily welcome to Ondo Kingdom, the Chairman Hon. Ajetunmobi and all other members of the Ondo State Committee for the creation of new Local Government Areas in Ondo State.
Within current Ondo Kingdom we have Ondo West Local Government with its headquarter at Ondo and Ondo East Local Government with Bolorunduro as its Headquarter.
Over the years we have persistently requested for the creation of more Local Government areas in the Ondo Local Government area because of the large land mass backed by comparatively high population of the Local Government which the last census modestly put at 360,000. The length of the Local Government area from Sokoto to Gbekelu (One end to the other) is about 200 kilometers. This obviously is too large for an effective Local Government administration and cannot succeed in bringing government close enough to the people.
During the last Local Government creation exercise carried out by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Ondo Community requested for the creation of Four Local Governments.
The Local Governments requested for then were:
(a) Ondo Municipal Local Government – Headquarter, Ondo
(b) Ondo South Local Government – Headquarter, Bagbe
(c) Ondo East Local Government – Headquarter ,Bolorunduro
(d) Ondo West Local Government – Headquarter, Litaye
Only two Local Governments – Ondo West and Ondo East Local Governments were approved for us.
The decision was unfair not only to Ondo Community but also to Ondo State. Neighbouring State with less population and landmass was given thirty local governments while Ondo State was allocated eighteen.
The Ondo West and Ondo East Local Government areas are naturally blessed with fertile soil for Agricultural developments. This potentiality leads to the influx of people from other States to take advantage of the economic opportunities that abound in the two Local Government areas.
The surging population has led to the expansion of social amenities and other infrastructures. More Primary and Secondary Schools, Health Centres as well as provision of markets have weighed down Ondo West and Ondo East Local Governments.
The cost of sustaining the social infrastructures has put an intolerable strain to the finances of the two Local Governments. Ondo Community is therefore extremely grateful to the current Ondo State Government for taking steps that will lead to the creation of more Local Government areas in the State. This action should be pursued to its logical conclusion.
Since the Revenue allocation from the Federation Account to a State Government is partly dependent on the number of Local Governments in each State, constitutional action should be taken to ensure that all new Local Governments created qualify for Revenue allocation from Federal Account.
Our humble request, Mr. Chairman is that Ondo West Local Government and Ondo East Local Government be broken into six Local Government areas:-
(1) Ondo Central Local Government – Headquarter Enu Owa
(2) Ondo North Local Government – Headquarter Agbogboke
(3) Ondo East Local Government – Headquarter Bolorunduro
(4) Ondo South Local Government – Headquarter Bagbe
(5) Ondo West Local Government – Headquarter Litaye
(6) Ondo South West Local Government – Headquarter Ugbolisa
Certainly, Mr. Chairman, your granting us our above request will lead to additional Centres of developments in the State. Please remember the Adage “Oba to je ti ilu gborosi a ko le gbagbe e Beni ako le gbagbe Oba to je ti ilu dahoro”
In Conclusion, I wish to state that the position of the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom in the Local Government to be created is Paramount. Consequently he will remain the Prescribed Authority in respect of all cultural matters that come under his purview in the newly created Local Governments.
High Chief (Sir) Dr. Olabanji Akingbule J.P. MFR, Odunwo of Ondo Kingdom, Chairman Local Government Creation Committee
25th May 2011
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