Osun Govt Adopts Community Development Plans For Six LGAs

The Osun State Government on Wednesday said it will adopt community development plans to guide projects, budgeting and planning across six local governments in the state.

The announcement came at the launch of the Community Development Plans organised by the Community Life Project in Osogbo.

Representing the Commissioner for Rural Development and Community Affairs, Alhaj Muhideen Abass, the Deputy Director of Community Affairs, said the government would use the documents to ensure development projects reflect the real needs of communities.

He said, “This type of document is very vital. The people were consulted , men, women, young and old, and they were asked what they really need in their communities. On behalf of the ministry, we are going to use this document and make sure it does not go to waste.”

Abass added that the initiative would prevent abandoned projects, noting, “Some of the projects the government executed in the past were abandoned because they did not meet the actual needs of the people.”

He also urged local government authorities to integrate the plans into their budget preparation, stressing that “local governments operate at the grassroots and are closer to the people. They should use this document to plan for their budget next year so that the efforts of these communities will not be wasted.”

In his opening remarks, Senior Programme Manager of the Community Life Project, Francis Onaho, said the plans cover Boripe, Ede North, Ejigbo, Ifedayo, Ife South and Orolu local governments.

Onaho explained that the plans were developed through structured consultations with local government officials, community leaders, traditional institutions and other stakeholders.

He said the documents focus on key sectors such as education, health, water and sanitation, infrastructure, local economy and security.

He said, “These plans will help the government improve the efficiency of public spending, reduce duplication of projects, strengthen accountability and enhance service delivery outcomes.”

Onaho added, “The plans are designed to run for three years and align with government budgeting frameworks, allowing local governments to use them for annual budget planning and project selection. This is not the end of the process; it is the beginning of action. Communities and governments must work together to ensure these plans translate into tangible development outcomes.”

Also speaking, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, said development must be people-driven and not left in the hands of politicians alone.

He said, “We are in a democracy and it has to be people-driven. All of us must actively participate. We cannot leave our future to politicians alone. Communities and the government must work together to decide where we want Osun State to be in the next 60 years.”

The monarch urged residents and local governments to ensure the priorities identified in the development plans are implemented, adding, “The real value of these plans lies in their implementation. Communities must continue engaging constructively to see tangible improvements in people’s lives.”