Seyi Makinde

Akintayo stated this in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday.

He said that contrary to claims in some quarters, LGAs in Oyo State have continued to benefit under the arrangement, with records of projects and programmes to show.

Akintayo said that rather than the debate on financial autonomy for LGA, what was imperative was sincerity and good governance at the state and local governments

He said that the federal government’s accusation of states shortchanging councils was not the case.

“They made several public pronouncements about giving LGA autonomy and His Excellency, Gov. Seyi Makinde, said that there must be sincerity of purpose. He is very right.

“They should prove him wrong so that the world can see, but as far as we are concerned, he is more than right.

“Nobody can claim we haven’t delivered. The records are there,” Akintayo said.

The chairman explained that the funding arrangement had enabled his council to strengthen security, improve social services and boost internally generated revenue (IGR).

On security, Akintayo said the council established a Voluntary Policing Sector (VPS), code named “Operation Stay Safe,” which has supported the joint security taskforce in the state, Operation Burst.

According to him, the council has also provides logistics to security agencies, renovates facilities and holds monthly meetings to address challenges.

Speaking on provision of infrastructure, the chairman said that the council had completed more than 80 kilometres of roads across all wards, installed streetlights in markets and residential areas, and dredged streams and cleared  drainages to prevent flooding.

He also listed provision of boreholes in communities were water was scarce and improvements in health and education facilities as other benefits of prudent resource use.

Akintayo said that the marriage registry’s revenue had tripled in recent years, while the upgraded event centre now generates over ₦350,000 per booking, boosting the council’s IGR

“Our IGR growth shows we’ve turned limitations (like lack of land) into assets, attracting over ₦20 billion worth of investments in areas like Bashorun, Gate, Orita Aperin, and we are looking at starting one at the Mami Market area here in Iwo road.

“Ground rents from these developments such as shops will benefit future administrations because it will be in millions.

“It is so good that we have investors at our door steps. We have projects in excess of ₦20 billion today.

“We have development in so many areas where people are investing and partnering with the Ibadan North-East LGA,” he said.

Akintayo further said that the performance of his administration showed that development was possible under the current fiscal system if funds were properly managed.

“Our focus remains on sustaining peace and building a stronger, more prosperous Ibadan North-East,” he said.

Recalls that local government autonomy has remained a recurring issue in Nigeria’s governance system.

The debate centres on whether councils should receive their allocations directly from the Federation Account or continue through state governments.

The present administration led by President Bola Tinubu has worked relentlessly to ensure the grassroots are developed, hence initiated local government autonomy.

Advocates of autonomy argue that direct funding will guarantee greater grassroots development and limit political interference by state authorities.

Opponents, however, believe that accountability and prudent use of resources are more critical than the funding channel.

In Oyo State, Gov. Seyi Makinde has consistently maintained that local councils get their due share under the current arrangement, stressing that sincerity of purpose should guide discussions on autonomy. (NAN)