President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki has said that the scourge of unemployment and insecurity would be reduce to the berest Minimum if Local Governments is allow to operate independent of the states Government.
Dr. Saraki who was speaking as a guest of honour at the celebration of Nigeria Union of Local Governments Employees (NULGE), at 40th in Abuja, said it was embarrassing that it’s only nine states that vote in favour of LG autonomy.
“Let me say that the struggle towards freedom of the third-tier of government is not one which NULGE or indeed the local governments themselves should see as theirs alone.
” If we are to curb insecurity, provide jobs for our teeming youth and boost economic activity through diversification, we must enable local governments operate independent of the state, and with their own budget and levels of accountability”.
Represented by chairman Senate Committee on State and Local Government, Senator Abdullahi Gumel , Saraki said for the third tier of Government not to be at disadvantage, checks and balance must be enaure between states and local Governments.
He said check and balance between the second and third tier of Governments would deepens democracy in Nigeria.
“As I have stated on several occasions, it is our joint responsibility to ensure that there is a symbiotic relationship between the states and local governments, if we are to prevent unwarranted disadvantage to third-tier of government in Nigeria. In addition, a cordial and symbiotic relationship between second and third-tier of government will make possible the necessary checks and balances that should further serve to deepen the fabric of our democracy”
Speaking on the theme of the event, ‘Local Government Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Our Struggle Towards Actualisation ‘ of Local Autonomy in Nigeria, ‘ the Senate President said is one which brings to the fore the clamour in many quarters for the autonomy of local councils.
According to him, this thought-provoking theme should, therefore,
enable stakeholders take stock of the journey thus far with regard to local government affairs.
He also expressed optimism that “the resistant and enabling factors identified here will make for richer discussion as we set forth towards achieving the desired state of the Local Government institution in Nigeria”.
According to him, ” We in the National Assembly fully appreciate the importance of governance at local government level. Yes, it strengthens local government administration; but more importantly, it provides for accountable governance, which is a prerequisite for sustainable development. One therefore reasons with the idea of local councils having better proximity to the people; as their autonomy will in turn better serve the grassroots and avail Nigerians of the much-desired dividends of democracy”.