The Ondo State House of Assembly has passed a bill for the creation of 33 new Local Council Development Areas (LCDA), after it passed through the third reading at the plenary.
Following the passage of the bill into law, the newly established LCDAs will coexist alongside the existing 18 local governments areas in the state.
According to the assembly, the development aims to enhance governance, ensure effective service delivery, and promote grassroots development in the state.
The bill was set in motion by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who transmitted the bill to the house for ratification.
To ensure broad public participation and gather diverse perspectives, the bill was subjected to public hearing where aggrieved communities submitted memoranda.
The bill was subsequently referred to the Committee of the Whole House for further deliberation.
During the plenary, the Deputy Speaker, Abayomi Akinruntan, presented the committee’s report as he emphasised the significance of considering the cultural homogeneity of the residents when demarcating boundaries for the new LCDAs.
He maintained that the approach will foster unity and inclusivity among the various communities within the state.
Akinruntan added that the state Surveyor General’s office will play a crucial role in the boundary demarcation process, ensuring that the newly created LCDAs align with existing geographical and cultural factors.
He further stressed that the approach will help to prevent conflicts and promote harmonious coexistence among the people.
Majority Leader of the House, Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole moved a motion for the passage of the bill into law and was seconded by Ogunlana Christopher.
In his ruling, the Speaker, Oladiji Olamide, who commended the governor for the creation of the new LCDAs, expressed optimism that all noticeable observations and recommendations by the House will be effected as appropriate.
He appealed to the people of Ondo State to keep hope alive and eschew acts that could generate undue rancour which can jeopardise the reigning peace in the state.
“Let me appeal to the good people of Ondo State to please keep their hope alive as current position of the House is not an end in itself but a means to a positive end, ” he said.
With the passage of the bill into law, the number of councils in the state is now 51.