Some legal practitioners in Jos, have urged states to comply with the Supreme Court verdict, which granted financial autonomy to Local Government Areas (LGAs).
By Zainab Oyekan
Some legal practitioners in Jos, have urged states to comply with the Supreme Court verdict, which granted financial autonomy to Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Some lawyers, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, said compliance would enhance grassroots development and foster local governance.
Mrs Asmau kwambe, described the verdict as a reinforcement of the Nigerian Constitution.
”We know that if this is enforced, it will allow LGAs to exercise the autonomy initially intended by the constitution, Kwambe said.
Ibrahim Gokwat, a Police prosecutor, on his part, said if there was full compliance with the verdict, it would help in balancing power between the states and LGAd.
According to Gokwat, the autonomy, which ensures direct funding of the LGAs, will encourage accountability and stabilise grassroot governance.
Also baring their minds on the subject, some residents of Jos, told NAN that it was not just enough to grant LGAs autonomy without considering key issues such as accountability.
Mr Joseph Pam, said that a monitoring system should be put in place to curb abuse of power and financial recklessness by the executives.
According to Pam, that is the only way the goal of the LGA autonomy can be achieved.
Ms Doris Uche, said that granting LGA autonomy meant elected officials should be held accountable if the LGAs remained underdeveloped.
Uche also said those at the grassroots must be educated on their responsibilities as citizens and what they should expect of their leaders. (NAN)
