By Steve Agbota
An expert and the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Ade Dosunmu, has commended the legislative move of the Federal Government to grant autonomy to the 774 local government councils in Nigeria.
He said that financial and administrative autonomy for local governments will be a game changer in the Nigerian democratic experience.
It could be recalled that the federal government through the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, has dragged the 36 states of the Federation to the Supreme Court in a bid to wean the hapless local councils from their control and grant them autonomy.
However, Dr Dosunmu has described the initiative as a landmark one that is long overdue.
In a press statement made available to Daily Sun, Dosunmu observed that the lack of local government autonomy has hampered the progress of the country’s democratic journey.
“I commend the Federal government whose Attorney General of Tlthe Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN has approached the Supreme Court to pursue this landmark initiative.
“There is no doubt that our Democratic journey has been very slow due to lack of Autonomy for the third tier of government as practised in other Democratic climes,” he said.
However, he called the attention of the Attorney General to the ambiguity in the 4th schedule and section 7 of the 1999 constitution which is contradictory to the autonomy of the local government
“The office of the Attorney General of the Federation should however, bear in mind the ambiguity in the 4th schedule and section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which recognised local governments as the third tier of government but also in a contradictory manner gives some functions to State Government and Houses of Assembly with regards to Local Government Administration.
“This and other contradictory clauses need to be amended to reflect the complete financial and Administrative autonomy as it’s been operated in other federal systems,” he added.
He, therefore, commended the bold initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and urged him to go the full hog in breaking the jinx of local government autonomy.
He believed that autonomy for local government would lead to rapid development of the country as it leads to the devolution of powers to the grassroots.
“I commend the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for this bold step and urge him to go all out to break this jinx by removing the clog in the wheel of our development and progress.
“You can imagine the impact that will be created if 774 local governments are independent and free from the apron spring of the state governments.
“Nigerians will immediately start enjoying the dividends of democracy directly across the country in all the 774 Local Governments and also have a say in determining the Political leadership at their Local Governments.
“The fact that every Nigerian lives in a local Government underscores the strategic importance of granting full autonomy to the Local Governments,” he said.
He urged well-meaning Nigerians to support this initiative as its benefits are immense
“The benefit of this initiative is huge and should be supported by all well-meaning Nigerians.
“The important benefit of this initiative is that it will attract more quality personalities to take part in the running of Local Governments and reduce the emphasis on the State and Federal Governments thereby widening the space for political inclusiveness.
“This will invariably reduce the burden on Federal and State Governments allowing them to focus on broader policy issues. Other benefits of Local government autonomy include the power to govern and make decisions independently which can lead to efficient service delivery, it will also foster transparency and accountability as Local Governments will be responsible for their decisions, finances and actions leading to better governance.
“It will strengthen our democratic institutions by ensuring a more equitable distribution of power and resources. Finally, Local Governments being the closest to the people are in a better position to understand the needs of their community and provide the same.
“In summary, granting full autonomy to local governments in Nigeria will lead to better governance, increased citizen participation, improved service delivery, and accelerated development at the grassroots level. This is no doubt the way to go in our determination to achieve good governance and development,” he explained.