The National Councilors Forum of Nigeria (NCFN) has called on the National Assembly and relevant legislative bodies to address the existing legal and constitutional barriers hindering the full implementation of local government autonomy.
The forum made this call in a communique issued at the conclusion of its 2024 National Convention and the election of new executive officers.
The communique was jointly signed by Hon. Michael Lenee Gbarale (Rivers State), Hon. Samuel Omonigho Omamogho (Delta State), Hon. Chris Anyanwu (Imo State), Hon. Sadiq Abuya (Borno State), and Comr. Sani Nagogo (Katsina State).
According to the communique, the convention was organised under the theme, “Consolidating Constitutional Local Government Financial Autonomy: Derivatives and Internal Outsourcing for Sustainable Growth and Development in Nigeria.”
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to the constitutional provisions guaranteeing the financial autonomy of local governments, noting that effective implementation of these provisions will empower local government councils to address community needs.
“We emphasise the need for local governments to explore innovative financial instruments, including derivatives, to manage risks and optimize resources. Workshops and training will enhance councillors’ understanding and application of these financial tools.”
“We recommend the adoption of internal outsourcing practices to enhance operational efficiencies within local governments. By leveraging local talents and resources, we can reduce costs, improve service delivery, and foster a culture of accountability and transparency.”
“We call upon local government councils to develop and implement sustainable revenue generation strategies, including enhancing tax collection, re-evaluating local taxation policies, and harnessing local resources. This will empower councils to meet their financial obligations and invest in community projects,” it said.
The communique also urged all councillors to pursue proactive partnerships that augment local government capacities and development initiatives.
“We underscore the importance of engaging community members in local governance processes. We advocate for a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of financial autonomy policies and practices. This framework will also guide the allocation of resources and improvements in service delivery.”
“We implore the National Assembly and relevant legislative bodies to support measures reinforcing local government autonomy and address existing legal and constitutional challenges,” it added.
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