Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has created an area council from Ikole West Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) with provisional headquarters in Asin Ekiti to douse agitations by warring communities.
The governor said he decided to site the headquarters in Asin Ekiti tentatively pending the final relocation to Usin Ekiti when the structures would be ready.
Following the creation of Ikole West LCDA with headquarters at Ijesha-Isu, which was carved out of the Ikole Local Government Area, seven communities in the area had protested, describing the choice of headquarters as absurd.
In a statement issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Fapohunda (SAN), Fayemi said the action would douse the raging tension and ensure convenience in the LCDA administration in the area.
“We announce the creation of an autonomous Area Office for the seven Oreniwa communities, with temporary headquarters in Asin-Ekiti (where they currently have structures), with permanent headquarters later at Usin-Ekiti, based on the unanimous decision of the affected communities.
“Furthermore, this committee acting on behalf of the Government of Ekiti State has been in consultations with stakeholders in the various communities, especially those in Ikole West LCDA, regarding the citing of the local government headquarters.
“We would like to remind all stakeholders that while the state government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the successful take-off and sustenance of the newly created LCDA, the support, cooperation, and ownership of all stakeholders in the various communities remains crucial to achieving this objective.”
The traditional rulers of the seven communities led their subjects on a peaceful protest to express dissatisfaction over location of the headquarters in Ijesa-Isu-Ekiti, describing the development as unjust and unfair.
Responding on behalf of the seven communities, Dr. Lanre Ayejuyo, appreciated Fayemi for living up to his promise to address their agitations.
According to him, “I write to express our acceptance on behalf of the seven communities on the creation of autonomous Area Council on December 1, 2021. The credence goes to the governor and his Executive Council.
“It’s a thing of joy to praise the winning team of the seven Oreniwa communities, and the LCDA implementation committee for listening to their plea and addressing their fear.”
