Sam Philip
A former Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN has called on state governors to issue an order compelling all chairmen of local government areas and Local Council Development Areas to be resident in their domains for effective and intense security at the grassroots
He noted that this would go a long way in supporting the efforts of the state governors in providing security for the people at the grassroots level.
The former Defence Minister stated this while fielding questions from journalists on how socio-economic development at the local government level could be achieved.
He said that most council chairmen reside in the capital city of their states rather than the council headquarters.
Prince Kayode emphasized on the council chairmen to joint hands with the governors in tackle insecurity in their individual local government areas.
The Senior Advocate observed that the absence of the council chairmen in their council areas contributed to the rising wave of insecurity at the grassroots.
He noted that the council chairmen are the Chief Security Officers (CSO) of their respective council areas, hence should reside within their council areas to oversee development and security situations they unfold.
Prince Kayode noted that the attitude of the council chairmen in residing in the state capital has undermined expected development and worsened insecurity at the grassroots level of the federation.
He queried: “Is it possible, reasonable, helpful, to direct, compel, and insist that all Local Government Chairmen and Councillors stay in their respective council areas and go to the state capital only with the written approval or permission of say, the Governor or the Deputy Governor?
“Is it possible, reasonable, helpful, to direct, compel that all Local Government Chairmen and Councillors go to work, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4pm daily
“And can an Office of Inspector of Local Government Administration be established under the Office of, say, the Deputy Governor to ensure that these and other directives and mandates of the Local Government Areas are being efficiently implemented.
“Would the above help to bring the Government closer to the people and help to strengthen security at the Local Government levels. Wouldn’t it?”
Kayode, therefore, declared that since the local governments received improved allocation from the federation account, they should use part of the funds to tackle insecurity in the council areas.