NAN-H-7
Support
By Temitope Salami
Ijebu-Ode (Ogun), Dec. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Chairman, Ijebu-Ode South Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Alhaji Olalekan Adebanjo, has called for support from philanthropists and corporate bodies to engender sustainable development at the grassroots.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun.
Adebanjo said interventions from non-organisations were critical to the success of all socio-economic policies of government.
He also urged Nigerians to persevere and not lose faith in the APC in view of the prevailing economic difficulties.
“People are quick to push everything to the government alone, but the truth is it cannot do everything. The private sector, individuals and philanthropists all have a role to play.
“Though, government can provide the policy framework, people should be able to undertake basic ventures aimed at giving succour in the area of relief and infrastructural development to foster economic growth.
“As for the partakers and investors, there should be incentives for them so that they can cover these things appropriately,’’ he said.
Adebanjo added that the poor performance of some infrastructure projects over the years, including Public Private Partnerships (PPP), had been as a result of bad decision making by previous administrations.
“There has been a large decline in private investment in PPP projects in recent years for a number of reasons.
“Delays in project approvals, land purchases by the government, complicated dispute resolution mechanisms in the concession agreements and lower than expected revenues due to aggressive assumptions are a few.
“Delays in project completion have resulted in cost overruns and revenue losses to private concession owners.
“These factors have impacted the financial viability of some projects and their ability to service debt,’’ Adebanjo said.
On the clamour for financial autonomy for local governments, the council boss said he was in support as far as mechanisms were put in place to check excesses by council officials.
According to him, granting autonomy to the local government councils in the country would greatly accelerate development at the grassroots.
Adebanjo asserted that financial autonomy for local governments would also enhance better performance at the council level.
The chairman identified paucity of funds as the major challenge facing the local government, saying it had hampered many developmental projects.
Describing the local government as the closest to the people at the grassroots, he advised that it must be adequately funded to meet its obligation to the people.
“Though it is true a tree cannot make a forest yet a tree can make a difference and I want to be that tree that can make a difference.
“There is always a way out of a problem.
“We will look at ways where we can maximise Ijebu-Ode’s potential to drive up our internally generated revenue by exploring our unique resources.
“It will however take sacrifice from all of us. We need everyone’s cooperation to achieve our objectives,” Adebanjo said. (NAN)
TDS/MOL/YEE
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Emmanuel Yashim
==================================