local government autonomy , a must–says Nigerian Senate

By Iyojo Ameh

The President of Senate Godswill Akpabio,has said that the red chamber is fully in support of the Supreme Court judgement on granting financial autonomy to the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria.

Senator Akpabio stated this, shortly after the senate resumed from an executive session over a motion sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye.

The motion by senator Nwoye, had alleged an attempt by some state governments through their Houses of Assemblies to enact laws to circumvent the ruling of the supreme court to grant financial autonomy to local governments.

Akpabio said:

“We stand solidly behind the Supreme Court judgement and pronouncement on the local government autonomy.

“We have looked at the motion and saw that some of the prayers would conflict with the existing provisions within the constitution, and we have jointly agreed on two prayers.

“Because we believe strongly that if there is any legacy that this administration and indeed the 10th Senate and National Assembly will leave behind.

“It is the legacy of sanitising the local government by ensuring that the local government funds are fully utilised for the benefits of rural people.

Senate, thereafter approved the two prayers out of the six prayers advanced by Senator Tony Nwoye in his motion.

The Senate consequently urged all state and local governments to fully comply with the recent Supreme Court judgement on disbursement and utilisation of funds accrued to all local governments in Nigeria.

The Senate also pledged to ensure alterations to relevant provisions of the constitution to provide full autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.