By ALABA OLUSOLA OKE

Crises-ridden communities in Ondo State will not benefit from the planned creation of local council development areas, the House of Assembly cautioned on Thursday in Akure.

It warned also that government would not treat community crises with kid gloves.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Olamide Oladiji, gave conditions for the creation of local council development areas at a public hearing on the proposed creation of 33 such development areas in the state.

Ondo State Executive Council had earlier approved the creation of 33 local council development areas from the 18 local government areas of the state to bring governance closer to the people.

“Let me state without mincing words that government will cancel or suspend the creation of local council development areas in any community or local government area where there are crises or court injunctions.

“This step is designed to fast-track development at the grassroots for the good of all citizens.

“Of a truth, the local government, as the third tier of government plays significant roles in enhancing sustainable development of the nation,” Oladiji said.

According to the speaker, Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution empowers state governments to create local government development areas subject to the ratification of their states Assemblies.

Oladiji, however, lamented constitutional bottlenecks requiring the approval of the National Assembly to create additional local government areas in states.

The bottleneck, he said, necessitated the creation and adoption of Local Council Development Areas as a comfortable nomenclature.

“The good news is that when the LCDAs are created and they begin operation, they shall enjoy the full status of existing local governments.

“I charge all agitators to be most orderly and eschew any act capable of short-living our joy and happiness,” he advised.

The speaker explained that the public hearing was a forum to deliberate on the document which would finally give credence to the creation of LCDAs in the state.

In his remarks, Oba Oluwagbemiga Ojo, the Iralepo of Isikan in Akure South Local Government Area, appreciated the government for the giant steps so far taken.

He said the people of Isikan prayed that an LCDA in the area would be named as Isikan LCDA to comprise Ward 1 to Ward 3 of Akure South Local Government Area.

Ojo stressed that the proposed LCDA would bring development to people of the area. (NAN)

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