Since the creation of Kwara State over four and a half decades ago, the 1976 Local Government reform has remained a watershed in the state in particular and the nation as a whole. Since then, the system has undergone several transformations resulting in the present 16 Local Government Areas structure in the state.

However, to many opinion leaders in the state, the local government structure, as presently constituted, remains largely inadequate, considering population, land mass and other demographic features in the state.

Observers have cited instances of Asa, Moro and Ifelodun Local Government Councils that were created by the 1976 reforms, saying the local governments have retained their structure to date, while several other local government councils have been created out of the others. Consequently, they argued that the councils in question have remained unnecessary large, resulting in avoidable administrative bottlenecks.

Even the 13 local governments that have transformed over the years still require to be sub-divided into more local government areas to make them fit for purpose. Speaking on the issue, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said the people’s clamour for more local government areas in Kwara had remained unfulfilled due to the stringent and time consuming constitutional process required for the creation of new councils.

The governor said his administration had received requests from across the three senatorial districts and the 16 council areas for the creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). He said it was in response to the request that he inaugurated a 14-member committee to look at the issue within two months timeframe.

Speaking during the inauguration of the committee at the Government House, Ilorin, Governor Ahmed said the creation of new LCDAs was expected to bring government closer to the people and assist the people in bringing their aspirations to fruition. “LCDAs will also help our people to realise their socio-economic goals and expand access to basic amenities that will accelerate development in these areas,” he said.

He added that the consideration informed his administration’s decision to constitute the committee to advise government on the creation of LCDAs in Kwara State. Members of the Committee include former national chairman of PDP and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji KawuBaraje as chairman. Others are Alhaji SaiduIssa, Alhaji Khaleel Bolaji, Honourable TundeUmar; Honourable AbdulWahab Issa; Mr Joshua Ogunlowo; Alhaji Rasaq Umar; Professor Halidu Abubakar; Honourable (Chief) Wole Oke; Hajia Fati Kadiri, Alhaji Muhammad Toyin Sanusi; Dr Abubakar Ishola; Alhaji Abdul Kadir Oba Salihu and Alhaji A.A. Yusuf as Secretary.

The committee, among others, has the responsibility of identifying all basic parameters contingent to the proposed creation of LCDAs, giving considerations to variables peculiar to the state. It also has the latitude to borrow experience from state with similar structure. Capacity for internally generated revenue, population size, land mass, location of headquarters, uniformity, and others.

Governor Ahmed said the members were tested, trusted, and seasoned administrators who had made marks in various spheres. “As people who are quite familiar with and share the aspirations of the people at the grassroots, you are to handle the assignment with tenacity of purpose and treat each of the cases presented to you on its merit.

Alhaji Baraje, who disabused minds of some people on number of local council development areas that are likely to be suggested by the committee based on their assumption on the membership of the committee, said people should not preempt the outcome yet but wait on the findings were made.

“People should not relate the number of likely LCDAS to be created with number of members in the committee. We cannot even think for the public. No member of the committee can think for the public. The number of the committee has got nothing to do with what people are thinking. I think it’s just a number.

On how the committee was to carry out its task, Baraje said: “It’s a big task any way. But Yoruba say no matter how weighty a matter is, you won’t cut it with cutlass. You will only use mouth to discuss it. We intend to follow certain procedure. This is a matter that has to do with grassroots. So, we intend to go back to grassroots and make lots of consultations with grassroots people. Also, it’s an activity that has to do with tradition and institutions, so we’ll do a lot of consultation with traditional institutions.

“It’s also our desire to ask people what they want. So, it’s the coalition and conglomeration of people’s wish, their requests, the input of the traditional institutions and grassroot people’s input that we are going to use as implement to carry out our duties. Remember that the governor, himself, said that people had been demanding and requesting. And if you look at the composition of these members, I describe them as erudite. They are not scholars but they are erudite administrators. People with very deep experiences and contact with grassroots. So, we intend to make use of their experiences to carry out this herculean task,” he said.

On the wherewithal to see any new local government functional considering the continuous shortfall in federal allocations to states, Baraje said it was not the first attempt in creation of additional local government in the state.

“It was done twice in the past. Once by the administration of late Governor Adamu Attah and again by late Governor Mohammed Lawal. These two earlier attempts, from our little findings so far, were killed half way because of the viability. During the inauguration, I said one major thing we are going to look at is economic viability and sustainability.

“Ours is to advise government. It’s not as if whatever we are going to say will be sacrosanct. We’ll only tell government, this and this is what we have seen. And it’s going to be a thorough advice, honest suggestion. So, people should wait till the end of the exercise.”