The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has advised Local Government administrators across the country to stop depending on Federal allocation.
This is even as the Minister advised them to look inwards to harness internal resources that abound in the all the 774 LGAs.
According to the Minister, all the Local Government Areas in the country should cash on the comparative advantage of resources in their areas. He noted that every council area is blessed in one way of the other in terms of resources.
Badugu gave the advise on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing participants at the 4th edition of Local Government Economic Summit organized by the Summit Group.
The Minister spoke on the theme of the summit, “25 Years of Uninterrupted Democracy in Nigeria: The Place of Local Government in Rural Development and Food Security.”
The Minister pointed out that all the existing Council Areas in the country are economically viable. He, however, lamented that their insistence on Federal and State Governments have grossly affected development at the grassroots.
He said, “We must think outside the box on how to explore our comparative advantage in the interest of our people. Local Government should not just dependent on transfer from the State and Federal Government. They should look inwards on how to harness their resources.”
The former Kebbi State Governor recalled how he leveraged on rice and cassava when he was the governor of the State. He informed that he used the resources to change the fortune of the Kebbi State.
In his remark, the Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Yusuf, emphasized the unique position of the LGAs in the development of the grassroots.
According to him, Local Governments are uniquely positioned to identify the challenges of those at the grassroots. As well as proffer solutions to addressing same.
The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Garazo, noted the place of the LGAs in the food security chain.
He said “In order to ensure food security at the grassroot, government must support small holders farmers with necessary implements.
Yusuf, however, expressed concern and said this can only happen if they must deliver and help in addressing food insecurity.
The Governor, therefore, assured Local Government leaders in the State of the readiness of his administration to provide the needed platform to strengthen Local Government administration.
Earlier the National President of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Bello Lawal expressed optimism at the newly granted financial autonomy to the LGAs.
He noted that financial autonomy has heightened the expectation of the people at the grassroots. But called for support of the other tiers of government, developmental partners and civil societies for the new regime to function perfectly well.
He said, “We have no other choice but to rise to the occasion and ensure that all LGCs play their rightful role in driving development across the country. Transparency, accountability, openness, and accessibility will continue to be our watch words and the bedrock of our policies and leadership.
“I will like to assure all and sundry that the current crop of leaders at Local Government level will not disappoint Nigerians.
Lawal also assured that ALGON is committed to ensuring a strong collaboration and partnership with the Federal and State Governments. He also called for cooperation with Development Partners, Private Sectors and other key stakeholders in ensuring accelerated development at the grassroot levels.
source: The Nation
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