Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East senatorial district, has expressed his support for local government autonomy.
News About Nigeria reports that the governor said he believes that granting autonomy to local governments will enable rural dwellers to enjoy the benefits of democracy.
According to Daniel, local governments are best positioned to cater to the needs of people at the grassroots level.
He noted that rural communities, in particular, require attention and care that only local governments can provide.
Daniel made his remarks on Tuesday while presenting his stewardship report at a “Dialogue with Journalists” event in Abeokuta.
The former Ogun State governor emphasised that local governments are closer to the people and understand their needs better.
Granting autonomy to local governments, he argued, will enable them to function more effectively and perform their responsibilities.
“Once upon a time, local governments in Ogun State were building roads, health centres and so on. And I didn’t change the law. I believe in local government autonomy.
“There is no way you can sit in Abuja and solve the problems of people in Maun in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State. It is the local government that will solve their problems, so, I believe in local government autonomy,” Daniel said.
While fielding questions from journalists, the senator recalled that the state did not lay off workers during his tenure as governor but rather employed lots of people.
“My responsibilities as governor then were responsibilities to the good, the bad, and the ugly. I trained people through the OGAGEP, in painting, and welders who fabricated poles for street lights, and graduates were employed in the state civil service,” he said.
