Adeleke restates commitment to local government reform.

Osun State Governor-Elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke has restated his commitment to local government reforms to significantly guarantee well being and improved living conditions of Osun citizens at the grassroots.

Speaking while receiving sub-committees reports of his transition committee on Monday, Senator Adeleke described local governments as "the building blocks of good governance", positing that his administration will fulfil his electoral promises by ensuring true autonomy for the local government system.

"I want to commend the various sub-committees for the fantastic job. Let me restate here that local government reforms is so dear to my heart because of so many reasons.

"First, a strong local government system is the best way to ensure grassroots development. Two, poverty alleviation is largely a local matter. So local governments with required resources will speed up prosperity. More importantly, competition will become a new way among the council Chairmen.

"I remember those days when council Chairmen competed for commissioning of projects. Local elected leaders built roads, develop agriculture, markets and transport terminals. I look forward to the return of that era when council chairmen will fill the Governor's schedule with project commissioning ", Senator Adeleke stated.

He however promised that his administration will restore accountability and transparency in the operations of the local governments to block excesses and corruption.

"We will not support autonomy that encourages defrauding of the people. We will ensure that resources and responsibilities devolved to the local governments in line with the Constitution are handled in compliance with due process and anti-corruption laws", the governor-elect stated.

Transition Sub-Committees which submitted reports include Government Structure, Legislative Relations, Public Service, Local Governments and Workers' sector.

Funmi Adekoya