Abuja: The Ondo Redemption Front, a leading civic organization dedicated to promoting good governance, has urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State to prioritize accountability and the development of grassroots infrastructure. The call was made by Ayodeji Ologun, the Chairman of the Front, during a news conference following the September meeting of the organization in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the group, comprising concerned lawyers, has previously expressed serious concerns about the state of healthcare, governance, infrastructure, and financial accountability in Ondo State. Ologun highlighted the need for complete autonomy in local government administration to boost grassroots development, aligning with the Federal Government’s aim to ensure effective governance reaches the grassroots level.
Ologun emphasized the importance of drawing the Federal Government’s attention to the allocation of funds to local councils in Ondo State. He recalled a Supreme Court judgment initiated by the Attorney-General of the Federation, which granted financial autonomy to local governments, allowing them to access funds directly from the federation account. However, he noted with concern that the ruling’s impact has yet to be felt in Ondo, resulting in a lack of major developments in local governments.
The group called on the Federal Government and the Attorney General to revisit the implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision on local government autonomy. Additionally, Ologun pointed out the dire state of the healthcare sector, with general hospitals suffering from decay, understaffing, and inadequate equipment. He highlighted the persistent challenges faced by pregnant women and the shortages of essential drugs and supplies in primary health centers.
Ologun stressed that effective governance requires listening, planning, and decisive action. He expressed worry over the implementation of certain programs that offer little benefit to the populace, advocating instead for strengthened community participation and conflict resolution through dialogue.
As Governor Aiyedatiwa approaches the implementation of the 2024 and 2025 budgets, Ologun urged the direct release of local government funds to Ondo councils as distributed by the Federal Government through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). He also called for the state government to release audited accounts of all bond proceeds and state finances, and for an end to political distractions in favor of service delivery.
Mr. Mogbojuri Kayode, Co-Chairman of the Ondo Redemption Front, emphasized the importance of transparency in governance, asserting that sovereignty belongs to the people, who have a right to know how their affairs are managed. Mr. Adedotun Ajulo, the Secretary, stressed the group’s civic duty to understand state operations and urged the state government to address public concerns effectively.