TheCable

The Oyo state house of assembly on Tuesday passed the local government amendment bill 2016 for the creation of 35 local council development areas.

The passage of the bill is sequel to the adoption of the report of the committee on local government, chieftaincy matters and state honours.

The house unanimously approved the bill at a plenary presided over by Michael Adeyemo, the speaker.

Adeyemo thanked members for their contributions to the bill. He said the bill, when assented to by the governor, would bring government closer to the people.

He directed the clerk of the house to produce a clean copy of the bill for presentation to the governor.

Adeyemo had said that the creation of LCDAs was long overdue, considering the size and population of the state.

However, Ganiyu Oseni, lawmaker representing Irepo/Olorunsogo, described the distribution of the LCDAs as a mark of injustice.

According to him, the allocation of 11 LCDAs to Ibadan zone was unfair compared to the number allocated to other zones in the state.

Similarly, Muideen Olagunju of East-Oyo west, drew the house’s attention of members to the dissatisfaction of some people over the LCDAs.

Contributing, Fatai Adesina of Ibadan south-east 1 and Gbenga Oyekola, his Atiba counterpart, expressed fears about the viability of the new LCDAs since the existing 33 local government areas were still facing financial challenges.