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My Administration has increased the IGR of the council – LG boss
The Executive Secretary of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area, Honourable Anisere Mustafa Moshood opens up on his political vision and what the council has done under his leadership. In this interview with Adebayo Obajemu and Adegbenro Nurudeen, he speaks on a number of issues including fiscal autonomy among others. Excerpts.
How did you venture into politics?
It was very rough. Initially, I didn’t know where I was heading to. I started as a grassroot politician. Although, my father was a politician in Ikeja and Kosofe in the 1960s.
You have been in office for some months now, how will you rate your performance?
I will say, under my leadership as executive secretary of Onigbongbo LCDA, the council has not done badly. Since we came in January 5, 2015, the financial statement has been alright. For instance, in the area of education, we discovered that Olusosu primary school was having problem of water. I went there and we made sure the council provided the pipe borne water for the school. Also, the council obtained over 60 GCE forms for students.
What are the challenges facing Onigbongbo LCDA?
Well, generally it is fund. Every local council in Nigeria is having the problem of fund. You cannot be telling people that there is no money, when there are many projects to be done. That is the reason we have to look inward. The council sat down and created some structures to increase the internally generate revenues to argument the allocation coming from the federal Government.
What is your take on Local Government autonomy?
Autonomy for the local government is good. If the Federal and States have theirs, local councils are also due. I know that our party, All Progressives Congress, is doing something about it. It will surely come at a point.
People usually accuse APC in Lagos of selection of preferred candidates rather than election of credible candidates, Why?
In modern democracy, it is important to be represented by credible people in various offices. What some people are accusing APC of is not true. All political parties in Nigeria have their own way of running the party. If aspirants subject themselves to internal democracy or consensus politicking, I think that is not imposition. It is good for the party. And in Nigeria, we have a lot of bad people who can go any length to win either primary or general elections. Our party does not impose but seek consensus among her members. It is good!
How did you emerge as Executive secretary of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area?
I did not contest for this post and it was an appointment by the State Government during the tenure of Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) . May be the government looked at my past record as a Supervisory Councillor for Works and Infrastructure in the council, to continue the good work of the last administration.
How have you been managing this council?
Before I came, the council used to have one area office. But I think to generate more revenue to Onigbongbo LCDA, and foreasy access for the residents, I created two more area offices so that the six wards of the Local Government Area can have access to the council to make enquiry about how to pay any due or charges since we are not dealing with cash.
Also, the council has purchased three buses for area offices to move freely and discharge their responsibilities effectively. And they are doing well.
During the short period, the council has been able to repair roads like Koto-Kwara street, Moshalashi street, Olusosun, Osungbayi GRA.
As a politician, what is your political vision?
My vision has been to be in government and make positive changes. I have been longing to help my people. As an indigene of Onigbongbo, I want a situation where all the parts of Onigbongbo LCDA will be connected in terms of good road networks, technological convergence; where everybody can have access to internet to seek for knowledge. Because if you are not informed, you will be deformed.
What is your view on the impasse in National Assembly?
We are all human being. Every human being loves to struggle for what he desires. But, in the course of doing that in politics, you must respect your party. The party leadership in working on the problem and I know it will be resolved in a jiffy.
If you have the opportunity to talk to all Onigbongbo LCDA residents, what will you tell them?
It is so simple! I will tell them to make use of social amenities created by Onigbongbo LCDA. They should try to coperate with the local council by paying their local government taxes. And to the youth, they should shun violence and focus on something that will benefit their lives and future. Onigbongbo LCDA is planning an empowerment programme for the unemployed and petty traders soon. By doing these germane things, Onigbongbo will continue to develop.
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