The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has charged local government chairmen in the state to ensure effective and transparent utilisation of the increased federal allocation to councils.

Mr Hamzat said this on Wednesday during the inauguration of projects by Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government to mark the first year in office of the council chairman, Olalekan Olu-Akindipe.

Represented by Damilola Sonayon-James, the state’s APC deputy governorship candidate, Mr Hamzat said the increased allocation should be channelled into projects that would have a direct and lasting impact on residents.

He urged the council chairmen to develop comprehensive plans for using the funds while prioritising critical needs such as infrastructure, healthcare and education.

Mr Hamzat said the projects inaugurated in Ajeromi-Ifelodun showed how local government autonomy delivers results when resources are properly managed.

“We are here to inaugurate some remarkable projects such as the Maracana footbridge, the Ajasa motorable bridge, the Mokoya motorable bridge, Oluwa Street, Oluwa Nursery and Primary School, Uweriro Street and three world-class solar projects.

“You can see what this council chairman is doing with the autonomy. The executive chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun is an example of what can be done with autonomy,” he said.

Mr Hamzat said the projects would improve transportation, support local businesses and contribute to the economic development of the area.

Mr Hamzat also commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting local government autonomy, describing the projects as evidence of the dividends of democracy at the grassroots.

“What you are seeing at the grassroots is the dividends of democracy because every politics is local,” he said.

The deputy governor further commended Mr Olu-Akindipe for using the increased autonomy to implement projects that bring governance closer to residents.

In his remarks, Mr Olu-Akindipe said his administration was focused on sustaining and completing valuable projects while building on previous achievements.

“My administration is about strengthening previous achievements and building institutional stability,” he said.

He said the council was also implementing new initiatives designed to have direct impact on residents, noting that governance was about strengthening what worked rather than starting afresh.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) in the area, Ismaila Sanni, said the projects marked a new chapter in the development of Ajeromi-Ifelodun.

The event attracted residents, dignitaries and supporters who gathered to witness the inauguration of the projects.
(NAN)