LG Autonomy go change rural areas – Naija Governors’ Forum

Naija Governors’ Forum (NGF) don talk say di 36 state governors dey committed to make local government fully autonomous to make sure say development fit happen for di grassroots.

Di Chairman of NGF and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, talk say di ruling wey Supreme Court give na correct one, as e go help make sure say di rural areas fit dey economically viable.

Governor Abdulrazaq talk dis on Tuesday for National Dialogue wey dem organize on Local Government and Constitution Amendment by House Committee wey dey review Constitution, with help from Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and support from UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).

Him dey represent by Director of Legal Services for Forum, Chijioke Chukwu, NGF Chairman explain say autonomy go make democracy and accountability strong, and e go guarantee say service delivery go dey efficient for important areas like healthcare, education and security.

He assure say di commitment of di country 36 state governors dey strong to make sure say dem fit achieve full autonomy.

“If we empower local governments to manage resources well, we fit make sure say development reach every Naija, no mata how far dem community dey.”

“Di Governors’ Forum dey serious for di commitment to make local government autonomy work well.”

“Di Governors wan work together with stakeholders, including development partners, civil society and other arms of government, to make dis autonomy don turn to real betterment for di lives of our pipo.”

Di Naija Governors’ Forum dey talk say dem ready to make sure say dis change to local government autonomy go make sense.

Make we continue to work together to build stronger, more inclusive Naija,” na wetin di Guardian report am.

LG Autonomy

Local Government (LG) autonomy for Naija mean say local government councils get financial and administrative independence from state governments.

Dis autonomy dey meant to make sure say local governments fit manage dia own affairs well and deliver essential services to dia communities without state authorities interference.

Key Points for di LG Autonomy for Naija:

• Supreme Court Ruling: For July 2024, Supreme Court of Naija uphold di financial autonomy of local governments, ruling say funds must dey paid directly to di accounts of local government areas, bypassing state governments.
• Dis decision dey seen as significant step towards deepening democracy and bringing governance closer to di pipo.
• Challenges: Despite di ruling, local governments still face significant challenges, including inadequate funding, corruption, and lack of administrative capacity. These issues dey hinder dia ability to provide essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
• Expectations and Responsibilities: With financial autonomy, local government councils now dey face heightened expectations from citizens, federal and state governments, and development partners. Dem dey expected to improve transparency, accountability, and service delivery at di grassroots level.
• Political Support: Prominent political figures, like Senator Adams Oshiomhole, don express support for local government autonomy, arguing say e go ensure say pipo for grassroots enjoy di dividends of democracy.
• Reforms and Collaboration: Dem dey call for urgent reforms to enhance local government administration, including beta financial management and increased collaboration with federal and state governments, development partners, and other stakeholders.

Local government autonomy dey seen as crucial element to improve governance and development for grassroots level for Naija.

But to achieve true autonomy, dem need address di challenges and make sure say local governments get di necessary resources and capacity to fulfill dia responsibilities effectively

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