Stakeholders at the third tier of governance in Nigeria have been counselled to live up to expectation, given the recent financial autonomy granted to the local governments by the Supreme Court.
The charge was issued by Comrade Debo Adeniran the convener of the Citizens Accountability and Rights Forum (CARF) at its monthly fora organized by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) in partnership with Centre for Anti Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL).
Speaking to the theme of the August edition of the gathering- “Prognosing into the Future of Local Government Autonomy in Lagos State Prospects and Challenges.” Adeniran recounts the poor state of existence that obtains in the tier of governance closest to the people.
The CDHR helmsman cited the fact that the pressures mounted by the group in time past to right the wrongs done to the councils has yielded fruit, while affirming its new commitment to closely monitor the handlers of the said funds in the local government to ensure frugal use and probity.
“We are adequately prepared to monitor incomes from Federal Government to the local government, the disbursed funds from FAAC, accruals from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), as well as expenditures will be scrutinised aided by the existing Freedom of Information law.
“We also have partnership with legal networks to ensure this commitment is made effectual.
“It is basically to guard against mismanagement of funds as the council boss do not have immunity. We shall name and shame defaulters and sing the praise of the performing ones.”
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Gbenga Omotosho one of the panelists at the monthly fora hinted that Lagos had maintained probity, as it regards disbursement of funds meant for the councils and at no point had it pilfered the monies meant for them.
Omotosho who was represented by Hon. Segun Ogundeji stressed the structured arrangement that applies in Lagos State, adding that the financial autonomy will be seamless owing to pre-existing modalities that is already in tandem with it.
“The conflict observed in many states will not affect operations in Lagos, as the financial autonomy translates to more monies now available for council administration and the state already operates a similar model, where funds meant for the local government are disbursed accordingly, no tampering of any form exist.
“Now the council chairmen can concentrate on the constitutionally expressed areas of responsibility, like the construction of trunk C roads and others. “
The Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA Hon. Oladotun Olakanle celebrates the financial autonomy, while harping on the expectations of accountability and need to involve the people more often in the decision-making process.
“The financial autonomy has come to stay and one of the merits of the autonomy is that the local government will have more funds to execute whatever projects, that is going to be meaningful and impactful in the lives of the people.
“At the end of the day the challenge is that we still go back to the people in the sense that people will now have the rights and information to ask, what have you done with the funds you have collected?
“It would now be a matter of giving back to the people what they are yearning for and not what the council want to give to the people.
“Adedeji Close Road which had been abandoned for 27 years, had no attention when it falls within Ikeja LGA and I spotted it when I was a Personal Assistant to the late council boss then but now our administration in Onigbongbo LCDA made it possible. Same applies in Ojodu LCDA.
“The autonomy will make central government less attractive and development will be inevitable if council operators’ function.
“If all in the position of authority plays their roles all will be well. We have been docile for far too long.
“I also urge us to pick interest in what happens in our domain. Truck C roads should be our constitutional concern.
“Other states in the far north should be focused on because you ask yourself, every month there is an allocation, even where we have terrorist sack a whole community and allocation is being made to such communities what happens? Where does those funds go to?”
The Vice Chairman of Epe Local Government Mr. Sikiru Owolomonse was quick to add that contrary to the widely held belief that council administration is peopled by the less educated ones, highly skilled professionals are now in charge.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to build more capacity and take charge of the elections at the local government level.
Representative of the Chairman Eti-Osa. Local Government Mr. Saheed Bankole also corroborated the stance that the council had enjoyed unfettered development, owing to the existing modalities.
Hon. Sulaimon Adekanbi the Senior Special Assistant Special Duty to the Chairman noted that, “Ever before the autonomy we have been doing pretty well in particular sections, with the new financial enablement we will do more.”
Mr. Bola Tijani who represented the Ojo Local Government council boss gave a trajectory of the July 11,2024 verdict of the Supreme Court and the advantages it brings for council administration. While citing great works done within his council area.
The highlight of the gathering was the official launch of the inaugural edition of the Citizens Forum publication, a compendium of all that transpired at the CARF parley put together by the convener.
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