By Innocent Anaba
The Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government Area, Ogun State, Mr. Olanrewaju Oyegbola-Sodipo, has commissioned a number of development projects across the council and signed into law a bye-law banning open grazing as part of efforts to deepen grassroots development and strengthen governance.
The projects, spread across the council’s 16 wards and four major communities, include interventions in education, healthcare, rural electrification, potable water supply, sanitation, road infrastructure and public facilities.
Speaking during the commissioning, the Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, commended the council chairman for what he described as a robust grassroots development drive.
Hamzat said the investments in schools, water infrastructure, sanitation facilities and council assets reflected responsive governance and aligned with the developmental agenda of the Ogun State government under Governor Dapo Abiodun.
In a related development, the council has enacted the Abeokuta North Local Government Bye-Law on Livestock Grazing and Herders Registration, which prohibits open grazing, makes the registration of herders and livestock owners compulsory and provides a regulatory framework for livestock management within the local government.
To facilitate implementation of the law, the council organised a stakeholders’ sensitisation programme involving traditional rulers, community leaders, security agencies, farmers, herders, market associations, transport unions, youth groups and other stakeholders.
The forum, according to the council, was aimed at educating participants on the provisions of the new legislation and creating awareness on regulations against indiscriminate waste disposal, encroachment on government property and illegal occupation of public land.
Speaking on the initiatives, Oyegbola-Sodipo said sustainable development extends beyond the execution of physical projects.
He said: “Development is not measured solely by the number of projects we execute. It is equally reflected in the institutions we build, the laws we enact, and the level of public understanding and ownership we create.
“Our approach has always been to carry our people along because lasting development can only be achieved through partnership between government and the people.”
The chairman explained that the livestock regulation was designed to promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, enhance public safety, protect agricultural investments and preserve the environment.
He added that sustained consultation and civic engagement remained critical to the successful implementation of government policies.
Oyegbola-Sodipo also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to policies that encourage investment, improve public health, safeguard public assets, promote environmental sustainability and guarantee a secure environment for residents and businesses.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for efforts aimed at strengthening governance and security across the country, and commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for supporting grassroots development and creating an enabling environment for local governments in Ogun State.
According to the chairman, his administration has since assuming office focused on infrastructure renewal, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, environmental management, institutional reforms and community security as key pillars of its development agenda.
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