Local Govt Autonomy: Why are the state Houses of Assembly foot-dragging?
The Harbinger’s Comment
Local Govt Autonomy:
Why are the state Houses
of Assembly foot-dragging?
SINCE Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999, there has been ceaseless calls for autonomy for the 774 Local Government Areas in the country.
Although, the 1999 Constitution recognised local governments as the third tier of government with provisions that gave the councils partial autonomy, the aberration of having a state and local government joint account has worsened the financial state of the councils. Some governors were accused of spending allocations that were accrued to the councils which has made it difficult for some local governments to pay their workers salaries. In some states, council workers are owed several months arrears of salaries.
It is therefore not surprising that many Nigerians are clamouring for both administration and financial autonomy for the councils, to enable its authority be accountable to the people at the grassroots rather than political god fathers. It is on this account that the National Assembly’s deliberation on the autonomy bill has rekindled the hope of the masses that local councils will eventually get out of governors’ deadly grip.
LG autonomy is one of the 32 issues proposed by the National Assembly in the ongoing constitution amendments with hope to separate states and LGAs accounts which will put an end to the domineering attitude of governors. With the autonomy bill receiving the backing of the National Assembly, the ball is now in the courts of the 36 state Houses of Assembly. The constitution requires 24 which is two-third of the 36 state Assemblies to endorse the amendment before it will become a law.
Unfortunately, it was very shocking when the President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, revealed that only 10 of 36 state Houses of Assembly have so far passed their resolutions on it to the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of state Houses of Assembly for transmission to the National Assembly. Khaleel said that among the 10 states, eight states, Kwara, Benue, Niger, Plateau, Bauchi, Cross-River, Bayelsa and Ogun states supported LGA autonomy, while Edo and Imo states rejected it and voted against it.
It is unfortunate that as of now, 24 states’ Assemblies are still working on it. Sokoto State among others just conducted public hearing on the bill, while other states including Gombe just called for memorandum from her residents on the bill. Some other states have differed public hearing and further discussions on it. Even Lagos and Rivers states have not even worked on the bill.
The Harbinger joins other Nigerians who are yearning for full autonomy of the councils, as this is the only way our grassroots could develop.
The National Assembly has played its part by approving autonomy for the councils.
The Harbinger appeals to the remaining state Houses of Assembly, who are yet to conclude work on the autonomy bill to expedite action on it and vote in its favour. That is the only way to liberate people at the grassroots and bring dividends of democracy to them. Anything short of this will aggravate the hardship the people are facing.
Local Govt Autonomy:
Why are the state Houses
of Assembly foot-dragging?
SINCE Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999, there has been ceaseless calls for autonomy for the 774 Local Government Areas in the country.
Although, the 1999 Constitution recognised local governments as the third tier of government with provisions that gave the councils partial autonomy, the aberration of having a state and local government joint account has worsened the financial state of the councils. Some governors were accused of spending allocations that were accrued to the councils which has made it difficult for some local governments to pay their workers salaries. In some states, council workers are owed several months arrears of salaries.
It is therefore not surprising that many Nigerians are clamouring for both administration and financial autonomy for the councils, to enable its authority be accountable to the people at the grassroots rather than political god fathers. It is on this account that the National Assembly’s deliberation on the autonomy bill has rekindled the hope of the masses that local councils will eventually get out of governors’ deadly grip.
LG autonomy is one of the 32 issues proposed by the National Assembly in the ongoing constitution amendments with hope to separate states and LGAs accounts which will put an end to the domineering attitude of governors. With the autonomy bill receiving the backing of the National Assembly, the ball is now in the courts of the 36 state Houses of Assembly. The constitution requires 24 which is two-third of the 36 state Assemblies to endorse the amendment before it will become a law.
Unfortunately, it was very shocking when the President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, revealed that only 10 of 36 state Houses of Assembly have so far passed their resolutions on it to the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of state Houses of Assembly for transmission to the National Assembly. Khaleel said that among the 10 states, eight states, Kwara, Benue, Niger, Plateau, Bauchi, Cross-River, Bayelsa and Ogun states supported LGA autonomy, while Edo and Imo states rejected it and voted against it.
It is unfortunate that as of now, 24 states’ Assemblies are still working on it. Sokoto State among others just conducted public hearing on the bill, while other states including Gombe just called for memorandum from her residents on the bill. Some other states have differed public hearing and further discussions on it. Even Lagos and Rivers states have not even worked on the bill.
The Harbinger joins other Nigerians who are yearning for full autonomy of the councils, as this is the only way our grassroots could develop.
The National Assembly has played its part by approving autonomy for the councils.
The Harbinger appeals to the remaining state Houses of Assembly, who are yet to conclude work on the autonomy bill to expedite action on it and vote in its favour. That is the only way to liberate people at the grassroots and bring dividends of democracy to them. Anything short of this will aggravate the hardship the people are facing.
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