Delete state, LG’s joint account from constitution, NULGE tells NASS

The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has called on the National Assembly to use the opportunity of the present constitutional amendment to remove the joint state, local government’s joint accounts from the constitution

It also demanded immediate scrapping of all the States Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), and granting of full autonomy to local government, saying that SIEC had outlived its usefulness while it was evident that it has been rejected by Nigerians.

President of NULGE Comrade Akeem Ambali in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja emphasized that granting full autonomy to local governments across the country is the only solution to addressing current insecurity challenges ravaging the country.

He noted that the joint state, local government account, has become a conduit pipe for corruption by the state governors, stressing that some governors are hell-bent on destroying the local government systems in order to continue the looting.

Ambali said: “We believe that the problem bedevilling local governments is constitutional and structural. That clause, the joint account allocation committee, was drafted into the constitution by those who meant well but unfortunately, it has become a bastion of corruption.

“It has become a conduit pipe through which local government funds are being pilfered, diverted and stolen by the state political actors. That is why we are clamouring and appealing to the National Assembly to use this constitutional amendment opportunity to delete that section from our constitution because it has been abused.

“Local Government has been raped repeatedly by the state political actors. That is why we have a rash of problems: hopelessness, hunger, deprivation and loss of hope in the project called Nigeria. Because Nigerian people, by our own demographic survey, over 65% to 70% of Nigerians reside within the rural populace. Only a few people who live in Abuja enjoy basic necessities.”

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state.

He stated that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could conduct a credible local government election, and as such, should be allowed to do so in order to revive already moribund local government systems.

The labour leader said: “The simple solution is, let’s be sincere about it. INEC is still the most credible electoral umpire to conduct elections. With their shortcomings, they are still better off. It is like a ratio 99 to 1. This is evident.

“INEC conducted elections in so many states in the country, we have listened to arguments saying that INEC may not have the capacity to conduct elections across the states, but we said No! they have the capacity.

“By SIEC’s activities, they are no longer popular with the Nigerian people. Their activities in the past had been roundly condemned. It is not credible; they have not demonstrated independence in the conduct of elections and they have outlived their usefulness.

“So, NULGE is calling for the scrapping of all States’ so-called Independent Electoral Committee/Commission and allowing INEC to conduct all elections across board in all the three tiers of government to enhance credibility, transparency, acceptability and political inclusiveness in Nigeria.”

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state.