Stakeholders in the Local Government Administration have renewed calls for the full constitutional implementation of Local Government Autonomy before the end of the year, emphasizing that such an action is critical for maximizing the sector’s potential to contribute to national development.
The appeal was made during the 4th edition of the Local Government Economic Summit in Abuja, where experts, legal luminaries, and leaders from various organizations gathered to discuss the future of local governance in Nigeria.
In his address, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Akeem Ambali, stressed the importance of enabling local governments to fulfill their obligations without interference from state governments.
He argued that local governments must be empowered to function autonomously in order to adequately address the needs of the grassroots, which will, in turn, drive sustainable national progress.
A key highlight of the summit was a paper delivered by renowned legal expert, Jibril Okutepa, SAN, titled “The Need for Cooperation Among States and Local Governments in the Post-Autonomy Era.”
Okutepa called on the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling, which mandates the direct transfer of funds to local governments. This directive, he explained, is essential for ensuring that local governments have the necessary financial resources to effectively carry out their mandates.
Responding to the calls, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by Mr. Simon Tyungu, a Director in the Office of the SGF, reiterated the federal government’s commitment to strengthening the local government system. He urged stakeholders to respect and adhere to the Supreme Court’s judgment on autonomy, stating that such respect would be fundamental in fostering the growth and effectiveness of local governance.
Further emphasizing the importance of localized development, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, revealed that his ministry had begun mapping out political wards to identify areas in need of federal government support.
He expressed confidence that this initiative would help direct resources to the regions where they are most needed, facilitating more targeted and effective development.
The summit also heard from Alhaji Bello Lawal, National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), who was represented by Deputy National President Mr. Moses Nomeh.
He called on local governments to collaborate, particularly in the agricultural sector, to enhance food security in Nigeria. He noted that such collaboration could strengthen the capacity of local governments to address critical challenges such as hunger and poverty, which continue to affect many communities across the country.
