According to Adebayo Ayorinde, the chairman of Ogun State’s Abeokuta North Local Government Area, it is improper for any school in Nigeria to lack running water and restrooms.
This was during the time that his administration started drilling boreholes and building restrooms throughout the local government region in an effort to combat poor hygiene and stop the cholera outbreak.
Ayorinde has also praised the recent ruling on local government autonomy by the Supreme Court, characterising it as an additional benefit for strengthening grassroots good governance.
The state’s governor, Dapo Abiodun, has long encouraged local governments to take on projects that improve the lives of rural residents, but the chairman stated that more can be accomplished now that a recent ruling by the highest court has mandated that the monthly allotment from the federal government go directly into the local governments’ coffers.
This was revealed by Ayorinde to reporters on Thursday during the local government’s commissioning of certain projects.
Modern health facilities at Sabo and Mile Two in Abeokuta, as well as the refurbishment of the local government’s legislative chamber, are among the projects that have been commissioned.
To name a few more, there are plans to build a contemporary office building, install solar-powered boreholes, and provide restrooms at the LG area office, Ita Iyalode, and four additional primary schools.
He explained that the projects were designed to improve the quality of life for rural residents via the backing of the state government and the joint efforts of the local government area’s residents.
What they’re saying
Speaking about the latest Supreme Court decision, Ayorinde stated,
“Even before this judgement, our Governor has been extremely helpful in ensuring that the rewards of democracy reach the grassroots.
“He has been supporting the local government to see that we embark on developmental projects at the grassroots but with this Supreme Court judgement, it is an added advantage and I think the grassroots will start feeling the impact of the government furthermore
.”The LG chairman stated that his administration opted to build toilets and boreholes to improve personal cleanliness and prevent epidemics of diseases caused by poor hygiene, such as cholera.
He stated,
“There was a recent outbreak of cholera in the local government, and thankfully we had two individuals who were swiftly treated and discharged; since then, I’ve been wondering what’s going on.
“So I went on a tour of various schools and discovered that the majority of them did not have bathrooms or running water. Those with toilets lacked water. So I took on this assignment because I understood that if we were going to properly train these kids, we needed to supply them with toilets and water. “I did not attend a school without toilets and water. I also attended a public primary school where there were bathrooms and running water. “Those are the things we’re attempting to revive.”
He continued,
“We have about four or five, and we will definitely do more; all primary schools in Abeokuta North Local Government must have toilets and running water.” “It is wrong for our schools to be without water and toilets or what kind of education can we give in such environments?”
Bottom Line
The Supreme Court’s decision on local government autonomy, which ensures direct federal allocations to local governments, is a crucial development.
This ruling empowers local governments, like Abeokuta North, to implement projects more efficiently and respond to local needs without undue delays or bureaucratic bottlenecks. Governor Dapo Abiodun’s support for local initiatives further amplifies the potential for impactful grassroots development.
Overall, Ayorinde’s initiatives reflect a commitment to addressing fundamental public health concerns, promoting educational welfare, and leveraging legal and administrative support to foster community development.
