•Adeleke gives them mandate to develop areas

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has given the newly sworn-in Local Government Caretaker Chairmen a mandate to hit the ground running by developing their respective local government areas.

The Governor stated this at the swearing-in ceremony of the Local Government Caretaker Chairmen held in the premises of the State Secretariat, Abere.

The Governor admonished them to compete, through developmental initiatives for their various areas, stating that they were installed to fill an existing vacuum at the local government level.

While asserting that his administration came on board at a time of constitutional crisis at the local government level, the Governor lamented that the previous government grossly violated the constitution and the law by holding kangaroo local government elections after its defeat.

“Our administration adopted legal routes to dismantle the inherited illegality. And as a government committed to upholding the constitution, we have mapped out a sustainable process that will fully restore normalcy to the local government system.

“You and your team must fashion out a local copy of the five point agenda for implementation in your local government. This will help to deepen the reach and touch of our administration across the state;

“You can also make a difference by developing local development plans for your local areas. This will help to take care of your local peculiarities. Your leadership must remain closely in touch with the people. You must ensure inclusive government that carry along people from voting units to ward and local government areas. Intergovernmental relations is also critical. You are not an island on your own, so you must be attentive to demands of coordination with the State and national bodies.

“Very important is the issue of financial discipline. This is not the time to marry a second or third wife. This is a time of financial prudence. Anyone found engaging in corrupt practices will be severely sanctioned”, the Governor warned.

Responding on behalf of other Chairmen, Hon. Sarafadeen Awotunde from Ifelodun Local Government Area, appreciated the Governor for appointing them, promising their loyalty and maximum support to him towards implementing his 5-point agenda, while assuring the people of Osun of rapid development at all cost. He charged his colleagues not to see the appointment as an opportunity to enrich their pockets but to work for the development of their domains.