Why we dissolved Council Caretaker Committees – ODHA

By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
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Non inclusion of the list of supervisory councillors with the Caretaker Chairman was the reason, the state House of Assembly refused to extend the tenure of the council bosses last Friday.

The House had on Friday dissolved the eighteen Local Government Caretaker Committees.

The tenure of the Caretaker Committee Chairmen was ratified six months ago, following a request to that effect from the office of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The house however noted that it had earlier resolved that the list of Supervisory Councillors should always be attached to any request for tenure elongation .

According to the lawmakers, the House resolution was communicated to the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

At the first plenary of the year on Friday, following a request for tenure elongation for the 18 Caretaker Committees, vide a letter from the executive arm, members noted that the list of Supervisory Councillors was not attached in line with the earlier resolution of the House.

A member representing Ilaje constituency l ,Prince Abayomi Akinruntan drew the attention of members to the fact that the list of Supervisory Councillors was not attached to the letter of request in violation of the House resolution.

This drew the ire of members who perceived the development as a flagrant disregard of the House.

After a lengthy debate on whether to honour the tenure elongation or not the Speaker of the House, Mr Oleyelogun Bamidele put the matter into vote.

Ten of the members present voted against, four were in favour, while four abstained.

The Speaker, apparently toeing the position of the majority, ruled that the Caretaker Committees of the 18 Local Governments be dissolved with immediate effect while all government property should be handed over to the Director of Local Government Administration (DLGA’s) in each Local Government.

In another development, the Lawmaker representing Akoko South West Constituency 1, Olugbenga Omole has called on the House to as a matter of urgent public importance mandate necessary agencies of government to address the issue of frequent accidents at Iwaro Oka in Akoko South West Local Government area of the state.

Omole noted that the entire Community of Iwaro and Oke Oka, has been plunged into darkness following the collapse of electricity poles and transformers due to incessant accidents by heavy duty vehicles.

He noted that a peaceful demonstration was recently embarked upon by youth in the area with a view to drawing attention to their plight adding that efforts should be geared towards preventing a recurrence in the future.

Corroborating his position, the Majority leader of the House, Jamiu Maito and a member representing Akoko Northwest, Taofeek Mohammed urged necessary agencies of government to rise up to the challenge in order to prevent recurring accidents in the area.

They equally suggested establishment of trailer- parks to serve as stop- over for heavy duty vehicles, as temporary solution to incessant accidents in the area.

The House in a resolution therefore called on appropriate authorities to come to the aid of people of Iwaro Oka with a view to stopping further carnages in view of the busy traffic on the road .

Meanwhile the House will proceed on six weeks recess from Monday,(Today) and will resume February 17,2020.