Some residents of Nsukka in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, have commended the Thursday Supreme Court judgment that stopped Federal Government from given monthly financial allocations of 774 Local Government Areas through their State Governments.
Residents expressed their views in Nsukka on Friday in a separate interviews with our correspondent while reacting to the Thursday Supreme Court judgement.
Dr. Chinedu Ejezie, a senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science University of Nigeria Nsukka, described the judgment as a welcome development that would help bring more developments to the grassroots.
“The aim of creating LGAs was to bring government and development nearer to the people because it’s the government that is closer to the people.
“But unfortunately, some state governments in the country hijacked the monthly Federal financial allocations to LGAs, this has made it difficult for the councils to carry out responsibilities they were established as the third tier of government.
“Thursday judgement of the apex court stopping Federal from given allocations through state governments to LGAs is a welcome development,”Ejezie said.
The Don said that now LGAs in the country would be receiving their allocations direct from Abuja, they Chairmen of the councils have no longer excuses for non-performance in their areas.
Mr Sonny Okoro, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Nsukka chapter commended the judgment of Supreme Court which he described as the right step in the right direction in making LGAs to carry out their responsibilities.
“I commend the Thursday judgement of the apex court that restored the financial autonomy of all LGAs in the country,” Okoro said.
Reacting to the judgment, Chief Joseph Ugwuoke, former Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area described the Supreme Court judgment as a dividend of democracy that would bring more developments to the rural people.
“It’s not enough to elect somebody as LG Chairman without allowing the person free hand to fully manage the finance of the council.
“I hail the Thursday Supreme Court judgment that restored the financial autonomy of all LGAs in the country.
“The judgment is a landmark in the history of the country and will go a long way to bring more developments in all LGAs across the country,”Ugwuoke said.
