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NUPENG joins in calls for LG autonomy

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NUPENG joins in calls for LG autonomy

More growing concerns have emerged over the crucial need for the Buhari-led Federal Government to speed up the process of Local Government (LG) autonomy in the country.

According to a statement signed by the National President of The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Igwe Achese, “the intervention by the Federal Government to grant autonomy to the 774 local governments in the country will enable its chairmen operate fully without any hindrance”.

Achese believes that “granting local governments’ autonomy will go a long way to ensure proper accountability and promote rapid infrastructural development; adding that “the autonomy will make the local government Chairmen and Councilors more responsive and acceptable to the people at the grass-roots level”.

Further reacting on the issue of transparency, accountability and true federalism brought about by the current join-account system for state and local government, Achese condemned the purported hijack of funds by Governors.

Read also: Again, whistle-blower leads EFCC to uncover N250m hidden cash in Lagos

“The Union condemns in its entirety the action of governors who remove duly elected local government Chairmen and Councilors at will, and granting them autonomy will put a stop to it. The autonomy will make sure that direct allocations from the Federation Account are paid directly to them putting a stoppage to the hijack by Governors, such direct allocations to the local government Chairmen and Councilors will ensure prompt payment of salaries and allowances to workers as at when due”.

The Union appealed to the Federal Government to urgently revisit the issue and grant local government full autonomy so that grass-root development will be guaranteed.

Meanwhile, a bill seeking financial autonomy for local governments has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill which seeks to amend Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution currently provides for a joint account for state and local governments.

Advocates believe financial autonomy for local governments will give unfettered freedom for local government administrators who currently serve as an extension of state governments rather than an independent arm.

By Akin Obakeye

 

 

 

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