Financial restrictions hampering development in LGs — FG

The Federal Government on Tuesday explained that financial restrictions being faced by the 774 Local  Government councils in the country were hampering the growth of the third tier of government In the country.

It said the situation had led to frustration and the likelihood of growing discontent in the country.

Speaking at a 2-day workshop in Abuja with the theme: “Local Government Administration in Nigeria: Reviewing the Trajectories, Trends and Projections in Today’s Economic and Political Realities” organized by the National Association of Chairmen of Local Government Service Commissions, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo, said that the capacity of local government councils to offer crucial services to grassroots communities was hampered by financial, inadequate infrastructure and lack of autonomy.

According to him, “In terms of trends and realities, our local governments have faced a variety of difficulties amid political and economic changes.

“Their capacity to offer crucial services to grassroots communities has been hampered by financial restrictions, inadequate infrastructure and lack of autonomy”.

Hon Jisalo maintained the situation has led to frustration amongst the citizenry.

“As a result, citizens are now frustrated and there is a likelihood that discontent will grow,” he added.

The minister, who was represented by the Director, Intergovernmental Affairs of the ministry, Mrs Patience Ehujo, said that government would revitalise the local government system by promoting empowered autonomy, capacity development, community engagement through frequent town hall meetings, robust implementation mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in resource allocation and utilisation at the local government level and collaborative partnerships.

Speaking, the Chairman of the National Association of  Chairmen of Local Government Service Commissions, Bawa Sani, advocated the unification of rules and regulations in the local government system in the country and a harmonious working relationship between the working class and political level at the grassroots.

According to him, “We started this forum last year and the essence was to establish a relationship whereby the working class and the political class will come together, exchange ideas and fraternise with one another. It is also a forum where all the directors from all over the country will come together and discuss issues as they concern the civil service.

“With that, we can unify the rules and regulations such that what is obtainable in Jigawa, if you get to Bayelsa, you will see the same thing in terms of nomenclature and everything you can think of. in terms of progression from one level to another among others”.

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