The Chairman of ATISBO LGA of Oyo State, Hon. Bashir Olumuyiwa Alade, has said his administration is committed to harnessing the economic potentials of the council through investments in agriculture, livestock, commerce, water supply and security.
He stated this on Monday while commissioning five projects executed by his administration as part of activities marking the programme, “A Day of Impact, A Journey of Development,” held at Kara Market, Ago-Are.
The projects comprised an ultra-modern Kara Market, shopping complex, cattle ranch, motorised borehole in Baasi and a police post in the Baasi community.
The council boss said the projects were designed to stimulate economic activities, strengthen security, improve access to potable water and enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of residents.
He described the Kara Market as the second-largest cattle market in Oyo State after the Akinyele Cattle Market in Ibadan, saying the council had created an enabling environment for cattle traders and other business operators.
According to him, the development of the market would not only boost commercial activities but also increase the internally generated revenue of the local government and further strengthen agricultural activities in the agrarian community.
He said the cattle ranch was established as part of measures to harness the economic potential of the area, particularly in livestock production and trading.
While expressing that the shopping complex would create additional opportunities for traders and residents, he said the market is contributing to the economic development of the council.
On the provision of basic amenities, the chairman said the motorised borehole in Baasi was aimed at improving access to potable water and promoting the health and wellbeing of residents.
He also explained that the police post was constructed to enhance security within the community and provide a safer environment for residents, farmers, traders and other economic operators.
The council’s chairman said the projects were tangible demonstrations of his administration’s commitment to grassroots development and delivery of dividends of democracy.
He maintained that sustainable development at the grassroots required the collective efforts of government, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders.
The chairman commended the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for what he described as an inclusive approach to development, saying the state government’s policies and support had enabled local governments to execute projects that addressed the needs of their people.
The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, alongside his wife who attended the ceremony, commissioned the projects during his working visit to ATISBO LG.
He described the Kara Market as the second-largest cattle market in the state, stressing the need for its proper maintenance and sustained development.
The deputy Governor also said the market should be positioned to facilitate inter-state and cross-border trade, noting that it was open to traders from different ethnic backgrounds and other countries.
He urged the council and stakeholders to ensure regular maintenance of the facilities, saying effective management would sustain the market’s economic value and attract more traders and investors.
The event also featured the distribution of relief materials and cash grants to residents as part of measures to provide welfare support to beneficiaries.
The ceremony was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, government functionaries, supervisory councillors, special advisers, community leaders and other stakeholders.
Among the traditional rulers present were the Aare of Ago-Are, Oba Abodunrin Kofoworola Oyetunji Ilufemiloye; the Aare of Ofiki; and Oba Gbenga Adigun Adeoye.
Religious leaders at the event included the Chief Imam of Tede, Barrister Imran Atilola, and the Chief Imam of Ago-Are.Alternative headlines: