The chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Local Governments in Nigeria (ALGON), Odunayo Ategbero, has called on local governments across the country to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for seamless financial operations to implement total autonomy of the local governments.
He made the call during the recent ALGON meeting held over the weekend in Abuja to address the challenges facing the association despite the progress made in implementing the Supreme Court’s judgement on LG financial autonomy.
ALGON emphasized the need for autonomy to address critical issues such as security, health, and education at the grassroots level, adding that 80 percent of Nigerians reside in local government areas.
The Association also stressed the importance of empowering LGs to drive social, political and rapid developments.
“This includes implementing developmental issues, such as security, health, education and more, to better the lives of citizens at the grassroots level.
“Democracy has returned to the local government level, with state governors conducting elections, a departure from the past where tickets were handed out.
“This development is seen as a positive step towards effective governance at the local level” he stated.
Former national president of ALGON Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo stated that the association is determined to partner with the states and the federal government to achieve maximum results despite being handicapped by funds.
The meeting was attended by prominent figures, including four ALGON National Presidents, Felix Akahabue, Alabi Koala David, Chairman Conference 57 Lagos, and ALGON Chairman Lagos State, as well as the commissioner for local governments in Nasarawa State, Aminu Maifata, among others.
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