By Abdul Miliki
The local government is another tier of government and Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution states that there shall be democratically elected local government councils in Nigeria.
The Kogi State House of Assembly on the 22nd June, 2022, passed into Law the Local Government Autonomy Bill, sent to it by the National Assembly as part of the ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution.
It is the prerogative of the legislators to amend the Law as dictated to by the relevant constitutional provisions of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Since 1999, efforts have been made by National Assembly to give Local Government Autonomy and free the LGA from the notorious and fraudulent joint accounts been monopolized across the country by the state government and governors without exceptions, therefore, hindering the much desire development at the grassroots.
It has also been proved or alleged the level of insecurity in the country, but have been responsible for the underdevelopment at the grassroots level.
All the efforts by the National Assembly to give Local Government Autonomy have not been successful due to the facts that two-third of the State Houses of Assembly need to pass it into Law.
As the current Kogi State House of Assembly, have taken the lead by passing this-all important Bill, which is commendable and we commend them for this great and historic achievement.
We call on the other States House of Assembly across the country to emulate the Kogi State example and free the Local Government from under-development by also passing the Bill within the shortest time, as we cannot afford to waste more time.
We also commend and congratulate the National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) on this historic development.
Sign:
IDRIS MILIKI ABDUL
Executive Director Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR),
Lokoja, Kogi State.
