The federal government has reiterated its commitment to enforcing local government autonomy in Nigeria.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris disclosed this yesterday at the launch of the Citizens’ Assembly at the presidential villa, Abuja.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has approached the Supreme Court for a definitive verdict on local government autonomy.
The ruling, which underscores the importance of local government autonomy and the separation of powers, was brought to the court by the Attorney General of the Federation on behalf of the federal government, led by President Bola Tinubu.
The minister, represented by the director general of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria(FRCN), Dr Muhammad Bulama, emphasised that the federal government will ensure that the Supreme Court judgement is enforced as intended.
He said, “President Bola Tinubu’s landmark move to implement local government autonomy by approaching the Supreme Court for a decisive verdict is a testament to his administration’s commitment to restructuring the nation, strengthening governance and development at the grassroots.
“And entrenching effectiveness and accountability in local government administration. With this game-changing institutional empowerment, local governments will witness unprecedented socio-economic transformation.
“The federal government will ensure that the Supreme Court judgment is enforced as intended.”
The minister also unveiled a series of policy milestones and economic initiatives implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
According to the minister, one of the most significant developments is the passage of a new N70,000 minimum wage bill by the National Assembly to replace the current N35,000 wage award for federal workers.
He said a N6.2 trillion supplementary budget has been approved to support this, with about N3 trillion allocated for minimum wage payments and salary augmentations.
To address food security concerns, Idris said the government has distributed 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains to vulnerable populations across all states and the FCT.
Additionally, import tariffs on essential food items have been suspended, and 20 trucks of rice have been dispatched to each state for distribution to those in need.
He said the administration has also focused on youth empowerment through various initiatives. These include the kickoff of a student loan scheme, restructuring the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund with a N110 billion seed capital, and launching the 3 Million Technical Talents programme, which has already trained 300,000 youths in its first phase.
Idris said positive indicators were reported on the economic front: “Nigeria’s external reserves reached a seven-month high of $37 billion in July 2024, and the country recorded a trade surplus of N6.52 trillion in the first quarter of 2024.”
The government also noted improvements in non-oil revenue, a reduction in external debt, and a decreased debt service-to-revenue ratio.
He also emphasised ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, as well as investments in healthcare, with plans to revive 8,300 Primary Healthcare Centers.
He said these initiatives and economic indicators suggest that the Tinubu administration is making efforts to address various sectors of the Nigerian economy and social welfare.
