From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Hon Leke Abejide, the Kogi State African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, has promised to grant local government full autonomy to all the 21 LGAs in the state if elected in the November 11 election.
Abejide stated this during his visit as part of consultations with some paramount traditional rulers in the three senatorial districts of Kogi East, West and Central of the state.
Hon. Leke Abejide said the local government remained the most important tier of government because “it is the closest to the people” Through the local government’s financial autonomy the local governments will be able to function well and build sustainable peace.
He noted that in an effective Local government system, the visibility of a state government and its impact can only be felt by the people through granting of financial autonomy.
“Local government autonomy is meant actually for development purposes, which will also make unemployed youths be gainfully employed, reduce poverty at the local level in the state and abate crime rates”.
This, he said, would enable the people to overcome the challenges foisted upon them by crises of leadership, as well as improve security at the local government and communities across the state.
Abejide noted that his election would ascertain the freedom the 21 LGAs will enjoy,” as my administration would partner with local governments for joint projects on infrastructural development, even as we need to build projects that will benefit the people most.”
Local government’s autonomy will help the government at all levels to focus on developmental projects, Abejide said.
Abejide assured that he will run a government that will work closely with the local government to abolish the payment of percentage salaries to local government staff as local government workers and teachers have suffered enough.
“We shall work closely with the local government administration to build trust with the people and abrogate satanic percentage payment of salaries to local government workers, we shall adopt an inclusive approach through the state House of Assembly to get the self-sufficiency of the local government done” he added.