By Qudus Odeyemi
In a proactive move towards community-oriented governance, the Executive Chairman of Ijede LCDA, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba, spearheaded a stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the 2024 budget and sustainable economic development. The event took place on November 30, 2024, at the Ijede LCDA council hall, drawing the participation of key figures including traditional rulers, religious leaders, community stakeholders, the Divisional Police Officer, and the CDC chairman.
In her opening remarks, delivered by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba emphasized the pivotal role of the budget stakeholders’ forum in shaping each year’s budget. She highlighted the local government’s commitment to responsive governance and encouraged collaboration for participatory governance. The chairman also provided insights into ongoing projects, such as the rehabilitation of the library, the Oke-Eletu Health Centre, the construction of a Model Primary School in Igbe Ogunro, and the procurement of a new ambulance for the Health Centre.
Addressing the stakeholders, she called for active participation, urging representatives from each ward to articulate their priorities. The goal is to ensure that every ward in Ijede LCDA benefits from at least one significant project. The chairman expressed her vision for a united front in policy formulation, program development, and project execution to enhance the overall development of the area.
Hon. Kehinde Fesomu, the CDC chairman representing the Ayetoro community, emphasized the need for government intervention in their development plan. He specifically highlighted the community’s requirements for a Primary Health Centre and Primary School, emphasizing that these needs should not be addressed only during election periods.
Responding to security concerns raised by the community, the Divisional Police Officer acknowledged the support of traditional rulers and religious leaders in addressing security matters. He appealed for continuous cooperation from both the council chairman and the community to mitigate security threats in Ijede LCDA.
The Vice Chairman assured all stakeholders that their concerns had been duly noted and would be addressed. He provided an update on the library’s progress, stating that it is nearing completion, with the remaining steps focused on equipping it with the necessary resources. He expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders present at the budget stakeholders’ consultative forum for their valuable contributions.
