The former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Ade Dosunmu, has lent his voice to the call for the strengthening of the Local Government system in Nigeria.
This is even as he contended that the LG autonomy will attract quality leaders and allow for political inclusiveness.
He, therefore, commended the Federal Government for pursuing full autonomy for Local Governments. LG, in Nigeria.
Dosunmu made this disclosure on Tuesday. He noted that the initiative will attract more quality personalities to take part in running of Local Government Councils.
“This will invariably reduce the burden on Federal and State Governments. Thereby allowing them to focus on broader policy issues,” Dosunmu stressed.
Recall that the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi recently filed a suit at the Supreme Court against the 36 State Governors. He is seeking full autonomy for Local Government Councils as the third tier of government in the country.
The suit, marked SC/CV/343/2024, requests the Supreme Court to prohibit governors from unlawfully dissolving democratically elected Local Government Councils. The Supreme Court has fixed 30 May for the hearing.
But speaking on the importance of autonomy to the LG system to federalism, Dosunmu, said it is “a game changer in our democratic experience.”
He bemoaned that Nigerian’s Democratic journey has been very slow due to lack of autonomy for the third tier of government. He noted that the reverse is the case in other climes where autonomy is practiced.
However, while supporting the AGF in seeking legal solution to the problem, he reminded him of the ambiguity in section 7 of the 1999 Constitution.
This section, he said recognizes Local Governments as the third tier of government. But also gives some functions to State Government and State Houses of Assembly regarding Local Government administration.
According to him, “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.”
“I commend the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, for this bold step. And I 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 are free from the apron spring of the State Governments.”
Dosunmu added that the fact that every Nigerian lives in a Local Government underscores the strategic importance of granting full autonomy to the LGs.
He stated that autonomy will reduce the burden on Federal and State Governments. By allowing them to focus on broader policy issues.
The former DG added that autonomy will give LG the power to govern and make decisions independently. He said these can lead to efficient service delivery, and also foster transparency and accountability.
source: Premium Times
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