LG Autonomy: Senate laments State Assemblies failure to pass bill

THE Senate yesterday lamented and expressed disappointment over the continued failure of the State House of Assemblies, to pass the Local Government Autonomy bill into law.

The Senate also regretted that only nine states have passed the bill, while 26 states have refused to work on the bill.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who was represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on States and Local Government Administration, Senator Abdullahi Gumel, gave the Senate position at the 40th Anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), held in Abuja on Monday.

Saraki said the theme of the event: “Local Government Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Our Struggle Towards Actualisation of Local Autonomy in Nigeria,”brings to the fore the clamour in many quarters fit the autonomy of local councils.

According to the Senate President, a free and independent local government will curb insecurity, provides jobs for the teeming youth and boost economic activities.

He said: “We in the National Assembly fully appreciate the importance of governance at the local government level. Yes, it strengthens local government administration; but more importantly, it provides for accountable governance, which is a prerequisite for sustainable development.

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“One, therefore, reasons with the idea of local councils having better proximity to the people; as their autonomy will, in turn, better serve the grassroots and avail Nigerians of the much-desired dividends of democracy.

“You will be aware of the efforts of the National Assembly towards actualising financial autonomy for local institutions by way of the Local Government Autonomy Bill under the 1999 Constitution (as amended). It is a matter of some disappointment that only nine (9) states have so far passed this Autonomy Bill. While it may be true that the Bill is still under consideration in the remaining 26 states, we must remain hopeful that in this instance, delay does not constitute denial.

“Let me say that the struggle towards freedom of the third-tier of government is not one which NULGE or indeed the local governments themselves should see as theirs alone. If we are to curb insecurity, provide jobs for our teeming youth and boost economic activity through diversification, we must enable local governments to operate independent of the State, and with their own budget and levels of accountability.

“As I have stated on several occasions, it is our joint responsibility to ensure that there is a symbiotic relationship between the states and local governments. If we are to prevent unwarranted disadvantage to the third-tier government in Nigeria.

“In addition, a cordial and symbiotic relationship between second and third-tier government will make possible the necessary checks and balances that should further serve to deepen the fabric of our democracy.”