In its bid to ensure effective grassroots governance that will bring development to the masses, the federal government has reiterated its plan to ensure that local governments are given financial autonomy.
The minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs, Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo, who made this known yesterday, during the two-day annual conference of key actors in local government administration, also revealed that the national council of his ministry is working towards updating President Bola Tinubu on addressing the issues pertaining to joint accounts and collaboration between states and their local governments.
Jisalo, who stressed that the local government is a very important tier of governance that cannot be overlooked, states that if the government gets it right at that level, it will reflect positively on the state and the federal tiers of governments.
The minister who explained that local government administration has undergone a long and complex journey since pre-independence also said it was in 1976 that local government reforms introduced elected local councils and emphasized the importance of grassroots governance.
He lamented that since then, subsequent military regimes and constitutional changes have led to various setbacks in local government administration and effectiveness.
While calling for financial autonomy at local government level, the minister queried that corruption, as well as political interference and lack of capacity among local government officials are other major setbacks for local government (LGAs).
He warned that if financial autonomy is not granted to LGAs, there will be a disconnect between the government and the governed at the grassroots level that will hinder development and service delivery.
The minister has charged the National Merit Award, which is an agency under the supervision of his ministry to widen the scope of its awards to include young people who are doing exploits within and outside the country.
He expressed his admiration of the laudable strides recorded by them and also admonished them to maximize their output.
