The newly sworn-in Chairman of Yagba West Local Government of Kogi State, Engr Ayo Makanjuola has inaugurated a seven-man Transition Advisory Committee (TAC) to develop a blueprint to guide the operation and functions of his government in the next three years.
The TAC which consists of eminent personalities with record of service who are indigenes of the LGA, is also to study the handling over notes tendered by Makanjuola’s predecessor and the council bureaucracy and advise him appropriately.
Chaired by Chief J.A. Owojaiye, retired Permanent Member, Kwara State School’s Board and member, Yagba West Caretaker Committee in 2007, other members of the committee are Dr Banji Yeye Agba, who was the pioneer Administrator of Yagba West Council upon creation of the council in 1991, Elder Philip Agbonwo, Mr Ayo Kowontan, Mrs Omolara Adekunle, Chief S.S. Sinkaiye and Chief Sunday Solomon Adeyemi. The committee has three weeks to submit its report.
Makanjuola disclosed during the inauguration ceremony held at the Yagba West Council Secretariat, Odo-Ere, that the panel was necessitated by the need to commence work in earnest for the transformation of the council and also to study the handling over notes he received on assumption of office, the content of which he described as “doubtful”.
“Almost a month ago, I was sworn-in as the executive chairman of our council. It was a responsibility that I campaigned for and which I was overwelmingly supported and voted in by our people”, he said, adding however that “on assumption of office, I requested for a comprehensive handover notes with a view to commencing work in earnest for the transformation of our council. The handover notes that I got up-to-date were not quite comprehensive enough for us to make much progress. In some cases, the notes were of doubtful information. Even where they were adequate, indications are that they require forensic auditing and analysis for a meaningful understanding.”
According to him, the committee will, as part of its terms of reference, understudy the council administration between January 2012 and April 2013 and recommend on the way forward. It will also consider any other matters of societal relevance to assist in the delivery of democratic dividends to the citizens.
The council boss dispelled speculations that he was embarking on a probe of the past administration.
In his acceptance speech, panel chairman Owojaiye, assured that the assignment will be done expeditiously and effectively. He described the move as first of its kind in the history of the council and enthused that it will serve as the beginning of a revolution in the art of governance in the area.
“What we had in the past was that of incoming chairmen of the council setting up committees to study handling over notes, but this time, it goes beyond studying handling over notes to developing a blueprint. It is the first of its kind and we hope the exercise when completed and the reports when submitted and implemented will take our dear local government from the level of mediocrity that Engr Makanjola met things to greater heights,” he said.
