The Kwara State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Community Development, Hon. Abubakar Bata, has stated that local government councils in the state have progressed beyond the routine payment of salaries to delivering tangible democratic dividends.

Bata, who inspected projects across five local government areas in the state's South Senatorial Zone, expressed satisfaction with initiatives tailored to residents' needs.

In a statement issued by the ministry's Press Secretary, Oba Azeez, the Commissioner praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's leadership for empowering councils to prioritise development. “Having visited five councils so far, their performance reflects the Governor's vision to transform local governance beyond salary disbursements. Councils are now equipped to address grassroots needs effectively,” he said.

The inspected councils included Oke-Ero Ekiti, Irepodun, and Isin. Bata commended chairmen for maintaining close engagement with constituents and swiftly addressing community priorities.

Bata rated Oke-Ero Local Government Council in the Kwara South Senatorial District very high because of the choice of projects executed by the council.

Some of the projects inspected included the electrification projects, grading of roads, water, and repair of palaces of traditional rulers, among others.

Other projects inspected at the Irepodun Council Area were the ongoing construction of the staff quarters at Ajasse – Ipo Cottage Hospital, drilling of a motorised borehole adjacent to the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo's Palace, the construction of 14 lock-up shops at the Transport Park and the provision of the motorised borehole at the park. Others are: the renovation of the palaces of district heads of Buhari, Agbele monarch, and the construction of a new palace for Onijan of Ijan, among others.

Bata, who expressed further satisfaction with all the projects, asserted that the affected communities would greatly benefit from the projects.

The Commissioner disclosed that he was aware of the costs of the projects relative to other requests begging for similar attention and thus, implored the council to ensure the immediate needs assessment of other areas to determine the necessary interventions.

He disclosed that the Council's intervention in the construction of a perimeter fence at their palaces was a demonstration of the importance the council attached to them, adding that more was expected from the monarchs to ensure their continued support for the present administration.

The Commissioner, while speaking at the various sites of the projects, disclosed that the impacts of the projects on the beneficiaries had clearly demonstrated the needs assessments of the beneficiaries.

He stressed that he had only visited five local governments so far, but was extremely surprised at the choice of projects executed by the councils, adding that all the projects visited were legacy projects worthy of emulation and commendations.

Bata specifically hailed the Executive Chairman of Irepodun, Hon. AbdulAzeez Yakub, for the comprehensive renovation of the school for special needs, which he recalled had been in a deplorable state before the intervention.

Similarly, at the Ekiti Local Government Council, the inspection team visited other laudable projects embarked upon by the council at the various communities.

Also speaking at the ongoing upgrading and complete re-construction of the primary health care centre in Obbo – Aiyegunle and the rehabilitation and grading of the Epe-Opin road, the Commissioner disclosed that he was aware of the fortune expended on the projects, thus, he thanked the chairman for his zeal, knowing fully well the economic importance attached to the projects.

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Irepodun, Hon. AbdulAzeez Yakub Tinuola, appreciated the monitoring team for the visit. He disclosed that the communities decided on the projects during his electioneering campaign and promised that other communities would be attended to in earnest.

Also speaking on the choice of the execution of the project, the Executive Chairman of Ekiti Local Government, Hon. Awelewa Olawale, appreciated the Commissioner for his guidance and, most importantly, the opportunity to tap from his wealth of experience in grassroots development.

Awelewa said even though they independently decided the choice of some of the projects, their intention was to complement the giant strides of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq because he alone can not attend to all the needs of his constituents and the state at large.

Similarly, the projects inspected at Ekiti Council Area were the reconstruction of two class rooms with store and furniture at Oke – Opin Secondary School, construction of 14 open markets stalls at Obbo – Ile, grading of Osi – Isare – Ikerin – Ajuba Road in Osi and reconstruction of Legislative Chamber at the Secretariat, among others.

Principal of Special Needs School, Omu-Aran, Alabi Raphael Adeleke appreciates the renovation of the school while Exec Chairman, Hon. AbdulAzeez Yakub Tinuola and Perm Sec l, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs with Community Dev't, Mrs Iyabo Modupe Adekeye watch in admiration, yesterday.