NULGE pleads on Ortom to prevail on governors to accept LG autonomy

THE national  President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Abdulkadir has called on Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom to lead the campaign among his counterparts on the need to grant autonomy to the third tier of government.

The NULGE boss who visited the state on Wednesday as part of his national advocacy campaign tour to state governors noted that autonomy would aid development at grass root levels.

While citing examples of developed democracy where autonomy is granted to the third tier of government, the NULGE boss maintained that autonomy would make council areas more functional.

“What we are saying is that we need a situation where there will be direct funds from federal allocation and no much encroachment on the council’s administration”.

“He added that ‘what we have now is that there is a disconnection between the people and their leaders but our agitation is focused on having the functional democratic government directly elected by the people.’

The national president called on governor Samuel Ortom to support the idea and to prevail on other governors across the country to throw their support into it.

While responding, governor Ortom went down memory lane on his experience as council chairman some years ago and admitted that granting local government autonomy would drive development at the grassroots.

He explained that he had brought his experience to bear in governance as he had since assumption of office suspended the joint account and project.

“After 30 years of being in politics and served in the local government, I should be able to know what is good for the people, so as soon as I assumed office I removed the joint account and project in the state, I don’t interfere in their finance”, Ortom submitted.