TheCable

Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, says poverty and under-development may not be effectively tackled if the local council administrative system is not reformed for service delivery.

Speaking when his campaign trail visited the Ose local government area of the state on Thursday, Akeredolu promised to ensure the empowerment of the local government system for more service delivery.

Addressing the Alani of Idoani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye, and his chiefs, Akeredolu promised that aside reforming the state local government system towards service delivery, Imeri, Idogun, Afon and Idoani will become a separate local government from the present Ose LGA if he gets re-elected.

“I have traveled to virtually all major countries in the world. I have been to Britain, Spain, the United States of America and Canada, Ireland, India, Germany, France, and other western and semi-western countries,” he said.

“I saw their local government system; they’re very organised and planned to fastrack development. By the grace of God, I will join other progressives to bring about positive change to the local government system in Nigeria.

“We will continue to struggle and achieve nothing if we do not strengthen our local government system. The major development is in the grassroots. By the grace of God, I will create another local government from Ose comprising Idoani, Idogun, Afon, and Imeri, to be named Ireakari Local Council, if you all vote for me to return to office on October 10.”

The governor also visited the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Adegoke Adeusi at his palace and promised to return to the town on October 3 to commission the Teaching Hospital built by his administration.

“When I came here for campaign in 2016, you asked for a general hospital, but we gave you a teaching hospital. I will be back here October 3rd to commission your teaching Hospital,” he said.

“The Benin Electricity Distribution Company disconnected Ifon because of our huge debt but I am pleased to inform the general public that Governor Akeredolu was the one who personally paid the debts before we could have light in our town after years of darkness.”