Ondo NULGE seeks FG’s support over LG autonomy

Ondo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees
has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the clause in the
bill on the amendment to the 1999 Constitution granting autonomy to
the local government administration in the country be passed by the
various Houses of Assembly.
The union expressed fears at a news conference, on Wednesday, in
Akure, the Ondo State capital, that some state governors had continued
to tamper with the resources meant for local government councils and,
as such, would be reluctant to support autonomy for them.
Ondo State Chairman of the union, Dr. Bunmi Eniayewu, said no governor
should stand against the autonomy of the local government councils if
the local government system should play its constitutional role in the
country.
Eniayewu commended the National Assembly for taking the step that led
to passage of the local government autonomy clause by both chambers of
the federal legislature.
He said some of the factors militating against the independence of
local government councils included lack of financial independence,
lack of a democratically elected local government officials and the
interference of some state governors.
According to him, these problems have led to the overall
ineffectiveness of the local government system, adding that the state
governments see the local governments as their appendages.
Eniayewu said, "In some states today, there have not been local
government elections since democracy was inaugurated in 1999.What we
have is a system that encourages appointing committees to administer
and run the local government councils.
"This is not what is provided for by the constitution. Apart from
this, even in states where elections have been held, there is lack of
access to funds to execute projects that would have an impact on the
lives of the people at the grassroots. It is when the people
participate in elections that they can hold their leaders responsible.
"We cannot say that the current system is inimical to an effective
federal system within the peculiarity of the Nigerian situation. This
is because the main purpose of the development of the local government
is to bring government nearer to the people."
Eniayewu said Nigeria should develop a new system capable of
guaranteeing the autonomy of local government in Nigeria so as to aid
even development of the rural areas.