LG Autonomy: It’s better to have 774 Thieves than One big Thief, Oshiomole Experesses Strong Sopport LG Financial Autonomy



Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing the Edo North senatorial district, has expressed strong support for the financial autonomy of local governments in Nigeria.

Oshiomhole’s comments came in response to the July 11, 2024, Supreme Court ruling that upheld the financial autonomy of local governments.

Speaking at a forum on local government autonomy organized by the House of Representatives on Monday, the former Governor of Edo State emphasized the importance of character in governance and accountability.

He highlighted the significant responsibilities of local government chairmen, given their proximity to the people, and advised them to allocate resources wisely for essential infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and other public services.

On a lighter note, Oshiomhole remarked, “It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief,” adding that with this every local government in Nigeria will produce one or two billionaires, rather than having just one billionaire in the state.

Also, speaking at the event, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen identified inadequate funding as one of the most significant challenges hindering local government autonomy in Nigeria, calling for urgent reforms to enhance local government administration.

Abbas, represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, emphasized that local governments are often financially constrained, affecting their ability to provide essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

He stated, “Local governments often operate on budgets that are insufficient to meet their responsibilities. This financial constraint limits their ability to deliver essential services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and sanitation.”

Highlighting the need for autonomy, Abbas said, “Local governments must operate with a degree of autonomy that allows them to respond promptly and appropriately to the unique needs of their communities. Sadly, significant challenges, including inadequate funding, lack of autonomy, and corruption, have plagued local governments for decades.”

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s Perspective

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in managing local government funds. He highlighted the provisions of the 1999 Constitution that assign specific responsibilities to local governments, such as primary healthcare and sanitation, but lamented poor financial management and oversight.

“Local government councils are in charge of primary health care, sanitation, and road construction. During my tenure, we conducted free and fair elections, allowing opposition parties to win some councillor positions. Accountability is critical. Every expenditure above ₦500,000 was scrutinized to ensure funds were judiciously utilized,” Kalu said.

He also stressed the need to separate state and local government responsibilities, citing the example of primary school teachers’ salaries, which remain the responsibility of local governments.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gov Mutfwang Unveils Multi Million Naira Ultra Modern Motor Park In Plateau

Image
Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, has officially launched a multimillion-naira commercial complex and ultra-modern motor park along the Bukuru Expressway. The Jos South Local Government Council’s project aims to improve order, reduce crime, and increase money for the local administration. According to a statement published by Gyang Bere, the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Governor Mutfwang performed the Unveiling at a ceremony on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. The Governor emphasised the importance of the effort in creating an atmosphere conducive to commercial activity. He applauded Hon. Peter Vwang Dung, the chairman of the Jos South LGA Transition Committee, for his dedication to finishing the project, which began in 2014 while he was chairman but remained unfinished. The Governor urged more cooperation between the government and vendors, particularly those operating out of the Terminus market, urging them to keep the area tidy and create an enviro...
Read more

PLSG is Committed to Empowering Etrepreneurs in the State to Unplug Their Full Potential – Danladi Gyang

Image
By Jerry Jatdul In a bid to strengthen the growth of businesses in Plateau State, a one-day Stakeholders Engagement on entrepreneurship has been organized by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Plateau State. Speaking at the stakeholders entrepreneurship engagement meeting, Special Adviser to the governor on Entrepreneurship, Danladi Gyang said the meeting serverd as a veritable platform to pull knowledge, experience and expertise as means of creating solution and extend government services to all stakeholders especially at the grassroots. He said he programme was organized with the sole aim of driving overall economic growth of the state. He added the the mission is to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the state that will provide entrepreneurs with support resources and opportunities they need to succeed in today's competitive market. The event took place on Friday March, 22, 2024, at the Patrick Hall of Crispan Hotel and Suites, alo...
Read more

Jos South LG PDP Aspirant, Jang Picks Nomination Form, Promises to Transform Jos South if Elected

Image
Safety and security in the local community are crucial for development as they promote public trust, accountability, and responsiveness to the needs of the people. It is for this reason that an aspirant for Jos South Local Government Chairman election, Jang Emmanuel Jang has said he would prioritize security if he’s given the mandate to pilot the affairs of the local government. Jang Emmanuel pledged that if given the opportunity to run the business of the local government in the role of its chairman, he will bring massive infrastructural development and transformation of the local government and urged delegates to vote for him and watch saying that his records speaks for itself. Jang expressed optimism that, if given the chance to lead Jos south, he would alter popular perceptions of the local government governance. Jang made this submission while speaking with Journalists after picking his Nomination Form at the state Secretariat of the PDP along Yakubu Gowon Way Jos on Wednesday. Th...
Read more