LG Autonomy: NULGE hails Tinubu, NASS, others, says years of strangulation over
By Praise Chinecherem
Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Anambra State chapter has commended President Bola Tinubu for having the political will to drive the process of granting full financial autonomy to Local Governments in Nigeria.
President, Comrade Chikwelu Adigwe stated this during a one-day rally organised by NULGE in Awka in support of the Supreme Court’s ruling on granting full financial autonomy to Local Governments.
Comr. Adigwe, who disclosed that the Local Governments have been under the bondage of the State Governors, described the move as a welcome development, saying it would enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the local governments in delivering public services and fostering grassroots development.
Addressing the Union members from the 21 LGAs during the rally, Adigwe stated emphatically that Local governments have been strangulated and relegated as an appendage of the State Governors.
“The Local governments cannot carryout their functions and constitutional duties due to the existence of certain lacuna in the constitution of Nigeria, in which some governors use as yardstick to oppress the LG system.
“We thank Mr President, National Assembly Members, National President of NULGE Comr. Ambali Akeem among others for taken the bull by the horn towards liberating local government workers from the shackles of backwardness and under development by the State Governors,” he added.
The NULGE boss urged the public to support the call for scrapping of the State Independent Electoral Commission, Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) and appointment of the transition committee Chairmen in the local government system, which have been declared illegal and unconstitutional.
State Secretary of the Union, Comr. Andrew Okolo hailed the Supreme court’s order, describing it as a victory for good governance, rule of law, transparency and accountability in the management of the public fund.
He further observed that the Local Government autonomy would definitely bring democracy to the grassroots as well as enable Local governments manage their finances and deliver on their mandate to improve the lives of their constituents.
