Stakeholders in Kwara state have described the Supreme Court judgement that barred the 36 state governors from further retaining or utilising funds meant for 774 LG as a welcome development.
Speaking separately with the Tribune in Ilorin, the state capital, on Thursday, the stakeholders expressed optimism that the implementation of the judgement would usher in effective development at the grassroots level.
According to the Director, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Kwara State, Mr. Yemi Adurotoye, “financial autonomy will surely aid development at the grassroots level, no doubt. That is the school of thought to which I belong.
“It was a good initiative by the Federal Government to free 774 LGAs from the apron strings of the State Governors, who had been successively muzzling the growth of LGAs by tinkering with the funds meant for the operations of the third tier of government.
“However, it must be noted that it is a constitutional thing and requires amendment. It is expected that the National Assembly will speed up that aspect.
“Particularly, the optional clause that says, “The Federation can pay LGA allocations to the LGAs directly or pay them through the states” needs to be removed.
“What it portends is that there will be speedy and massive development at the grassroots; there will be the spread of infrastructure and the winning of the war against poverty.
“Surely, in the long run, rural-urban migration will be reduced. To be able to substantially succeed in the above, there is a need for a review of the revenue allocation formula in favour of the local governments.
“In this euphoria of the autonomy claimant for LG, I want to implore the FG to put in place monitoring mechanisms for the operators of LG Administration across the 774 LGAS of the 36 States and FCT so that maximum impact can be gained.”
The state publicity secretary of the PDP, Olusegun Adewara, simply said that the judgement is a welcome development, adding that the party would soon come out with an official statement after careful study of the Supreme Court verdict.
Also, the NNPP Youth Leader, Kwara State, Hon. Ayinla Alarape LUQMAN, said that the party welcomed the long-overdue Supreme Court judgement granting financial autonomy to local government areas (LGAs).
“This landmark decision is a significant victory for democracy and the rule of law. The unconstitutional practice of governors (particularly in Kwara State) controlling LGA funds has hindered grassroots development and perpetuated insecurity for far too long.
“This judgement empowers LGAs to tackle insecurity, improve agriculture productivity, and strengthen democracy at the local level. We commend the Federal Government for taking this bold step and the Supreme Court for upholding the Constitution.
“We urge all stakeholders to ensure the swift implementation of this judgement, ensuring LGAs receive their funds directly from the federation account. This will usher in a new era of grassroots development, accountability, and good governance.
“Better late than never, indeed!”
Also speaking, the coordinator of a non-governmental organisation, the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE), Mallam Abdurrahman Ayuba, said that the judgement would help tackle rural development, poverty, unemployment, rural urban drift, and food sufficiency.
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