By Reporters
Some experts and civil servants in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina States have welcomed the recent autonomy granted the local governments in the country , describing it as a new dawn for them.
A Supreme Court judgment recently stopped the State and LG Joint Account and granted autonomy to the 774 LGAs in the country.
A professor from the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mamman Lawan-Yusufari, said that the judgment would pave the way for improved governance and development across Nigeria.
Lawan-Yusufari told NAN in Kano, that the judgment would strengthen local governments’ independence as a step towards breaking financial constraints especially in regions that heavily depend on governments’ support.
“For years, local governments in Nigeria have not been functioning well due to the lack of financial autonomy.
“The states have not been allowing them to work properly and this has worsened poverty problem especially in the northern part of the country where there is so much reliance on government,” he said
According to him, states where there are Local Development Areas would have to devise means of funding those areas because certainly, there would not be allocations to them from the federal level.
He said, “Only the 774 local governments contained in the constitution are recognized as valid levels of government that can share from the public treasury”
Lawan-Yusufari called on the state governments to comply fully with the judgment for development to thrive..
He said, “Compliance with this ruling will not only be in line with the rule of law but will also promote the broader interests of the nation by fostering a more balanced distribution of resources and addressing poverty at the grassroots level”
He, however, advised the local government to utilise the resources well to achieve developments and change, driving improvements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for all.
Alhaji Sani Umar, a Kano resident, urged the government to fully support the implementation of this financial autonomy and avoid creating barriers.
He said, “This autonomy could finally empower LGAs in Kano to implement projects that directly benefit our communities, such as improved healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
“With financial autonomy, LGAs in Kano could start taking charge of primary education, health centers, and rural road construction projects often managed at the state level”
Umar said Local governments should be allowed to function independently with their funds, as this will enhance transparency and ensure that funds reach the people they’re meant for.
“Accountability measures should also be strengthened to prevent misuse at the LGA level, and citizens should be informed and involved in how funds are utilised,” he said.
Mr Edward Auta, a Public Policy Analyst based in Kaduna, said local government council polls were to be conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECOM), in respect to the Supreme Court judgment.
According to him, Kaduna State does not have Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) under the present administration.
Auta said: “The programmes and projects the state government may likely hand off to the LG elected officials will be such as Security, rural infrastructure like roads, water, electrification, primary healthcare, basic education.
“Others will be management of the payrolls of the various LGAs, among others, which were hitherto funded by the joint state and local government account under the supervision of the ministry for local governments.
“This, in turn, is expected to help reduce corruption and mismanagement of public funds long-standing issues in Nigeria’s governance system”.
He said that on the issue of LCDAs, there haven’t been functional LCDAs in Kaduna State hopefully, with time there might be.
Also, Mr Williams Matthew, a social commentator said that the ruling of the Supreme Court concerning local government autonomy would be a relief of some burdens of governors.
Mathew said what the local officials have to do is manage themselves especially with the upcoming minimum wage.
He said: “The local officials will have to balance effectiveness in delivering basic service such as healthcare, education and infrastructure at the grassroots level.
“They can also invest in building new schools, upgrading roads and transportation networks to enhance connectivity and much more.
“With more control over their expenditure, local governments will be held to higher standards of accountability and will be required to report on their financial activities and outcomes”.
He, however, applauded the Supreme Court for addressing the imbalance of power and resources, paving the way for more targeted and effective local governance.
Also, the Coalition of CSOs in Katsina State, says over the years, the functions and effectiveness of the local governments have been crippled by joint accounts controlled by state governments.
Mr Abdulrahman Abdullahi, the Chairman of the coalition disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina.
According to Abdullahi, the state/local government joint account has deprived development local governments, as the government tier that is closest to the people.
“This stopped the local governments from implementing developmental projects, provision of social amenities and responding to public requests at the local level.
“Making the people have limited access to basic services from the government.
“Even insecurity that has been a major vane to progress in our states, can be addressed with granting financial autonomy to the local governments.
“With funds, the LGAs can plan and implement security promotion activities at the local government level, therefore addressing the menace,” Abdullahi said.
Malam Kabir Adamu, a retired local government staff in the state, disclosed that if the councils operate their accounts, there would be more development at the grassroot.
He said, “The issue of political thugs and other politicians dominating the Government House seeking for assistance would have been a thing of the past.” (NAN)
