Saddling local governments with the task of paying primary school teachers' salaries and wages is not only herculean and burdensome, it is also retrogressive to the development of the nation's rural areas, an Ogun State local government chairman has complained bitterly.
Speaking at the official presentation of Certificate of Registration to Ifedara-Opeji Area Community Development Committee recently, the Chairman of the Transition Committee of Odeda Local Government Area, Alhaji Semiu Bola Lawal (a.k.a Sembol) lamented woefully saying "it is a real problem to local governments".
Alhaji Lawal said the responsibility of paying teachers should be undertaken by the Federal Government as the money coming to local governments is not enough to meet development projects as well as teachers' salary.
He pointed out that until the 1999 Constitution is amended accordingly, there is no magic that a local government can perform to make its impact felt by it's people.
Alhaji Lawal however praised Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his support to local government administrations in state which made it possible " for us to impact our areas ".
He noted that for the last six months, no local government that has not done one project or the other in it's area. He said this was because of the assistance of the governor who, he said has again promised another lifeline in another three months time.
The local government chairman who expressed his desire to develop all parts of his local government area assured the people of Opeji that developmental projects is coming to the area shortly.
He noted that work had started at Obantoko already and pointed out that he intends to spend between four and five days at each area he is working at.
Alhaji Lawal lauded the community development committees of his local government area noting that they were iidoing wonderfully well in ensuring development of their areas.
Earlier, in his own speech, the Chairman of Ifedara-Opeji Area Community Development Committee, Alhaji (Asiwaju) Dapo Wahab stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence and harmony for the development of communities.
He appealed to youths agitating against police brutality to tow the line of peace as violence will not achieve anything.
Alhaji Wahab urged traditional institutions, parents and other stakeholders to prevail on the youths to put an end to violence so as to give governments the chance to logically address their demands.
The Chairman of Ifedara-Opeji ACDC also called on all community leaders to ensure "proper accountability and transparency in discharging their duties in the service of humanity".
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