In a significant step toward enhancing the autonomy of local governments in Nigeria, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, has inaugurated a 10-man Inter-Ministerial Committee.
This committee has been tasked with implementing the Supreme Court’s landmark judgement delivered on July 11, 2024, which mandates financial autonomy for local governments.
The inauguration took place at the SGF’s office, with Senator Akume presiding as the Chairman of the newly formed committee.
The key members of the committee includes Hon. Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, Hon. Minister of Budget & Economic Planning, Accountant General of the Federation,
Other members are Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission, Representative of State Governors, Representative of Local Governments
The committee’s primary objective is to ensure that the Supreme Court’s decision is fully implemented, granting local governments the financial independence they require to operate effectively and without undue interference from state governments.
This move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to uphold constitutional provisions and strengthen the role of local governments as an essential tier of governance.
The President’s vision is to foster a more responsive and accountable local governance structure, which is expected to drive more effective service delivery and development at the grassroots level.
Senator Akume emphasized that the committee would focus on devising strategies to enforce the judgement and oversee its execution.
He assured that the committee’s work would be transparent and inclusive, involving consultations with various stakeholders to ensure that local governments can operate independently and effectively.
The formation of this committee marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, reflecting a concerted effort to decentralize power and enhance the operational capacity of local governments.
As the committee begins its work, all eyes will be on its progress and the tangible impacts of this landmark decision on Nigeria’s local governance landscape.