LG autonomy: Social Action urges stakeholders to join forces with NULGE
By Dave Okpogadie, Asaba
As part of efforts towards the promotion of transparency and accountability through open, participatory and inclusive budget at the Local Government systems in Nigeria, a Niger-Delta based anti-corruption, good governance group and Civil Society Organization (CSO), Social Development Integrated Centre (Social Action) through its Budget Advocacy Committee (DBAC) in Delta State has urged citizens, CSOs, State Governments, FGN and other critical stakeholders to join force with NULGE to actualize the advocacy for a fiscal autonomy for all 774 LGAs in Nigeria.
Senior Program Officer, Social Action, Dr. Prince Ekpere Edegbuo ably represented by Barr Augustina O. Oduuna, who is the Coordinator, Social Action’s Budget Advocacy Committee (CBAC) made the appeal while addressing journalists at an event organised by Delta State LGAs Budget Advocacy Committee in Asaba, Delta state.
Dr Prince Ekpere Edegbuo, who was represented by Barrister Augustina Oduuna of Social Action’s Budget Advocacy Committee in Delta State demanded for an inclusive, participatory and open budget process in Delta LGAs.
While urging resistant governors, lawmakers and other critical stakeholders to turn a new leaf and join forces with the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees to actualise local government autonomy, which he said had become necessary to promote the foundation for accountability in the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria.
The CSO group leadership in Delta State also advocated for constitutional amendment to free the Nigeria LGAs from joint account systems with State Governments so as to promote fiscal autonomy of LGAs in the Country, and Delta State in particular as she used the medium to enjoin Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to direct all LGAs in Delta State to set up a functional website where citizens can track development projects coming to their area with proper adoption of community needs assessment model so as to foster sustainable grassroots development in Delta State and Nigeria in general.
In his words, “It is with a sense of urgency and unwavering commitment that we continue this crucial campaign. Delta State Local Government Budget Advocacy Committee demands that the Local Government be granted full autonomy to truly function as a tier of government. We demand that LGAs in Nigeria, particularly Delta State operate an open, inclusive and participatory budget process and to lead the way in enthroning transparency and accountability in the utilization of public resources.
“In January 23, all LGAs in Delta State received a total of N5.10 billion naira as a location from the federation account, all things being equal, if this remains so, at the end of the year, about N62.1 billion would have received aa allocation to LGAs in Delta State. What about the internally generated revenue and the state’s IGR share to LGAs. It is high time the beam turned on the LGA leadership to ask critical questions around our collective resources.
“During the 9th Assembly attempt to secure 2/3 votes from the State Houses of Assembly to amend the constitution could not be achieved, several states demonstrated their support by voting for legislation that would grant administrative and fiscal autonomy to local governments. Amending the constitution is very imperative so as to enable local governments regain their capacity to serve their communities, and ensure that good governance will not remain elusive in Nigeria.”
Dr Edegbuo also urged CSOs and the media to adopt innovative strategies and persevere on the advocacy concerns for Local Government autonomy in Nigeria to get positive response so as to ensure sustainable grassroots development in the country.
He stated further that the opposition by some governors was not in the best interest of citizens as it would not pave the way towards the delivering of essential amenities at the grassroots levels.
