The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has conducted a referendum on five out of the proposed 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), as directed by the State House of Assembly, following request by the state government for approval towards the creation the LCDAs.

The Commission, which is set to submit its report to the House, received the bill for the creation of the LCDAs out of the existing 20 Local Government Areas in the state.

The House had called for the referendum on Sango/Ijoko, Ifo, Imeko-Afon, Odogbolu and Abeokuta North-East LCDAs, which, the government wants to add to the 32 earlier proposed in 2003 by the then administration of Chief Olusegun Osoba.

Speaking during the conduct of the referendum, the OGSIEC Chairman, Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi said the exercise was borne out of the genuine desire to ensure transparency in governments dealings.

Adding that report of the referendum would be submitted to the House for the next legislative action, Ogunfemi commended the people in all the areas where the referendum was held, for the large turnout ‎and their peaceful conduct.

“I am shocked with the large number of people that trooped out for the exercise in the areas affected. This has only showed that the people are actually desirous of the creation of additional Local Council Development Areas,” she stated.

“The exercise was mandated by the Ogun State House of Assembly. We shall write a comprehensive report and pass it to the House for further action and we are in the process of doing that,” she added.

•Photo shows Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun.