LG Autonomy: Governor Eno Doubts Council Leaders’ Capacity

Akwa Ibom State governor Umo Eno has expressed reservations over last Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling, which granted autonomy to local governments.

He described the ruling as a welcome development and applauded President Bola Tinubu for granting the councils financial independence, noting that the development will relieve state governments.

However, he disclosed that his mind has been agitated about its effective implementation and the ability of the local government leaders to handle their financial responsibilities.

“With this judgement, I feel relieved, but my concern is how they (council leaders) will bear the brunt of the autonomy,” he stressed.

Governor Eno made the observations during interaction with journalists upon his arrival at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, after official engagements outside the state since last week.

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The governor noted that the Supreme Court verdict on local government autonomy remains sacrosanct, as it is the country’s final court pronouncement.

He dismissed fears that the judgement would create friction between the state and the 31 LGAs, assuring that it would not impact his administration in any way. He stressed that despite operating an interim LG system since assuming office in 2023, “the councils have been getting their due allocations, without any interference with the operations of the joint account.”

He affirmed that his administration’s ARISE Agenda prioritises rural development, explaining that under his watch, funding has been channelled in volumes to offset arrears of gratuities, pensions, salaries, and other entitlements to local government workers. He noted that the autonomy granted to the third tier of government is a relief to the state government.

He expressed hope that local governments, under the new arrangement, would take over the responsibility of prompt payment of salary and other emoluments to teachers, health workers, and other LG workers to avoid leaving successive governments with an unnecessary burden of arrears.

He said: “The Supreme Court has made pronouncements. That’s the final court of the land, but for us in Akwa Ibom, I don’t see us having any issues. This is a welcome development because I know how much we, as a state, support the local governments.

“Since I assumed office, I’ve not touched any funds allocated to the local governments. The only challenge I envisage now, which we have to sit down and find a way around, is how the local government workers would be paid promptly. How will primary school teachers be paid promptly? How do we clear our backlog? I pray that we find a way around this.”