By Sunday Olatunji
In democracies all over the world, accountability is a critical component of governance. There is expected to be accountability from government to the people and for the people to demand accountability from the government, while offering suggestions, observations, and criticisms with the objective of positively driving the collective well-being of society towards growth and development.
To this end, Hon. Johnson Abobade has made accountability and giving back to his constituents the hallmark of his adminstration since he took the oath of office as the first executive chairman of Irede Local Council Development Area of Ekitiì State in January 4th 2022, by demonstrating that governance still remains in the hands of the governed.
Even his naysayers admit that he’s a game-changer. Love him or otherwise, Hon. Abobade Johnson, has been a significant key player in the politics of his area.
These and more have propelled relevant stakeholders in Irede Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State to describe the current Local Council chairman of the Area, Hon. Abobade as a pace-setter, whose administration has greatly impacted the lives of the citizens irrespective of political affiliations.
The residents of the area did not leave any stone unturned as they speak glowingly of the council boss on the impactful steps he has been taking to add values to the lives of the people of the area aside the physical projects initiated and completed within the space of one year and few months of his administration.
Abobade-led adminstration’s first concern when he took over the mantle of leadership in the council was how to create an enabling working environment for workers and political office holders.
The council chief executive immediately swung into action by renovating his office including that of his Vice, reception arena and ten other offices in the uncompleted magnificent office complex donated for the smooth take- off of the council by the Ipoti community.
The Chairman did not only renovate some offices but also provided them with suitable tables and chairs to make conduct of government business easier and comfortable for the staff and officials. The construction of well with submersible machine in the council is to make water supply available at all times for the staff use.
Hon Abobade’s penchant for safety and security of his staff and property cannot be overemphasized as he completed the abandoned perimeter fencing of the secretariat he met abandoned when he came onboard and erected modern gate at the entrance of the secretariat to add fame and glamour to the council .
To prevent leakage of an official information in the council, the Chairman ordered for immediate purchase of computer set, photocopier machine and printer fo official use. A development that prompted him to commence the extension of electricity to the secretariat. Today, the secretariat has been fully connected to the national grid to power the gadgets.
To Abobade- led government, lack of working tools for workers in any department would definitely hamper their operational performance and in the long run, could lead to lackadaisical attitude of workers towards work. To achieve optimal performance and change the negative attitudes of his workers toward their jobs, Hon. Abobade equipped the Environmental, Community and Social Services (BPR&S), Works, Administrative, Finance Departments to mention just a few with necessary tools. The Marriage and Information Units of the council are not left out as the council chairman purchased several banquet and plastic chairs for the conduct of marriage ceremonies in a well renovated mini- hall of the secretariat as well as provision of giant Public Address System for the Information Unit.
To get rid of termites and other destructive insects in all private and public schools in the council area, Abobade ensured that comprehensive fumigation was carried out in all the schools. A development that attracted outpouring of accolades and encomiums on the council boss.
For people at the grassroot to reap the benefits derivable from the creation of Irede LCDA, Abobade’s administration embarked on grading of Odo – Owa – Ofale via Baba Ori Oke roads as well as patching of potholes in Ipoti township roads. .
The council chair strongly believes that making all roads in Irede council area motorable especially feeder roads, would avail the farmers unique opportunity to easily transport their farm products to the market with moderate charges.
Hon. Abobade being a compassionate politician that always feels the pulse of the needy, has recently disbursed cash gifts to the aged and vulnerable ones across three wards making up Irede LCDA to reduce the economic challenges facing the residents especially the downtrodden.
To further improve the socio economic activities in the council area and enhance the Internally Generated Revenue of the council, Hon. Abobade has initiated and completed a block of four units of lock- up shops and construction of another ten units of lock-up shops is on-going in Ipoti Ekiti, the headquarters of Irede LCDA .
To guarantee the security of lives and property of his people, Hon. Abobade constantly engages heads of the DSS, Police, NDLEA, NSCDC and others in meetings where strategies are being mapped out to curtail any form of criminal activities likely to undermine the existing peace and tranquility pervading the council area.
As part of Abobade’s commitment to promote healthy living standard of his people, he graciously approved substantial amount of money for the Environmental Department of the Council to organise training for the food vendors and handlers on how to maintain hygienic environment in the course of preparing the foods being sold to the residents of the area. He didn’t stop at that as he equally channelised all the drainages in the council area to enhance free flow of erosion to prevent flooding.
Hon. Abobade happens to be personality that doesn’t believe in taking unilateral decisions in the scheme of things without proper consultation with the royal fathers and relevant stakeholders of the council area to seek their opinions, views and advice on the critical issues of development .No wonder, the rancour- free relationship that exists between him and the traditional rulers has assisted him to achieve much in all aspects of governance.
With the achievements recorded so far, Hon. Abobade could not but appreciate Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his support and cooperation in all facets of governance most especially, prompt release of funds to execute legacy projects aimed at improving the livelihood of the common people at the grassroot.