ALGON seeks strong Local Government system

 

The Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, has called for the strengthening of the local government system in Nigeria.

In a statement on Sunday signed by its National President, Mr Nwabueze Okafor, the body noted that globally, local councils are regarded as independent government, which plays vital roles in strengthening democracy and enhancing socio-economic growth.

Nwabueze said “The Nigerian Constitution recognises local councils as a third tier of government with the right to participate in sharing revenues and responsibilities to show that they are federating units.”

“The local governments as federating units require the right level of administrative and financial autonomy to discharge their responsibilities and functions assigned to them under the constitution.”

Continuing, the statement noted that: “Rather, autonomy means that local government councils shall receive their share of federal allocation and part of the internally generated revenue of their states and exercise the authority to appropriate such funds for the development of their areas of jurisdiction.”

“This is the approach in major civilised democracies.

The ALGON leader praised Nigerians for their support towards the autonomy of a robust local government system.

“This support was amply demonstrated by the massive participation in the ongoing efforts to review the 1999 Constitution.”

“With the overwhelming consensus built on the need for local government autonomy in the emerging constitution, we are confident that the views will be respected by the national and state assemblies,” he said.