NIGERIANS RISE TO ENSURE PASSAGE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY BILL BY STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLIES

By Nnabugwu Chizoba (Sustainability Accountant/Development Practitioner)

Local Government (LG) and its administrative structure in Nigeria is described generally, as the third tier of government, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). 

A Local Government Council (LGC) exists fundamentally, to facilitate efficient and effective service delivery, essentially for those residing in the rural areas of Nigeria or on a visit, be it routine or periodic.

For several reasons, among which is to make the local government achieve the core objectives, as briefly expounded above, series of attempts have been made in the past, to reform it. 

The present attempt, if done properly and the reform of the local government system in Nigeria is achieved, there is a very strong evidence to suggest that the Nigerian economy, presently at a comatose state would be repositioned towards a sustainable path and in a manner that the citizens, especially, in the rural communities where the greater population of people reside, would begin to experience a new lease of life, instead of one characterized by squalor and inhuman conditions. 

The undoing of Nigerians over the years, particularly in the area of local government reform, as in most other areas has been the docile nature of most citizens, who over the years, view issues of reforming the Nigerian system, local government inclusive, as solely that of those in leadership position. In the distant pass, this responsibility was left in the hands of military rulers alone. 

With the advent of democratic rule, which has run uninterruptedly by the Military, since 1999, the story was expected to be different. However, things have not changed much, though there is, growing awareness, which is yet to be transmitted into action.

It is this growing awareness among Nigerians and indeed the urgent need to tap into the huge benefits that should accrue from this development that has necessitated this write-up. It is aimed basically and substantially at moving Nigerians in the 36 states of the country, to step out en mass and monitor Legislative developments and processes in their various states. Particularly, the House of Assembly, to ensure that the state Legislators do not derail the on-going efforts targeted at amending some Sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

At this point it has become necessary to update or refresh the mind of the reader with recent events, in the country, particularly, as they relate to activities or developments at the Legislative arms, at both the national and state levels. 

Let me therefore, draw your attention to the fact that the National Assembly which comprises of the Senate and the House of Representatives, recently adopted 29 out of the 33 proposed Bills seeking amendments to different Sections of the Nigerian Constitution. The Bills were formulated by the National Assembly Constitution Review Committee, headed by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

After the adoption of the proposed Bills by the National Assembly, the next stage is the transmission of the proposed and adopted Bills to the 36 states House of Assembly by the national Assembly. This stage is critical, in view of the fact that, 24 states House of Assembly must approve the Bill for the amendment to be successful. 

The summarized stages of the processed Bills after adoption by the National Assembly are:

• Transmission of the proposed and adopted bills to the 36 states House of Assembly by the National Assembly
•  Consideration and approval or otherwise by all the State houses of Assembly (SHoA)
•  Return of the bills with communication about how the state assembly voted
•   Review and preparation of clean copy of the bills. (Only those approved by at least 24 SHoA)
• Transmission to the President for Assent
•  Presidents assent or veto on any of the bills
• Review and consideration of any observations by the President and possibly over-ride his veto (if any)

At this juncture, it is important to say that the adopted proposals are already transmitted to the various states House of Assembly. While all the proposed Bills are important, bearing in mind that they seek to restructure and reform the way and manner government affairs are conducted, and some seeking to strengthen the various institutions of government to ensure that effectiveness and efficiency are promoted and that transparency, accountability, checks and balances are appropriately instituted, the focus of this piece is only on 2 clauses of the proposed Bills. The rest as contained in the list to be amended would be discussed on this platform on a later date. 

The two Clauses to focus on, in this discourse are captured under the caption “strengthening local government administration in Nigeria.” The first clause is the “Distributable Pool Account:

This amendment seeks to do away with the state Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), and in turn empower each local government council to maintain its own special account where funds due to it from the federation account are paid directly into. This is a clear departure from what obtains presently, where the Governors control local government funds. This is done through their excessive control and over bearing influence, which is made possible because of their control of the Joint Account, from which they decide what local government councils under them get at the end of every month. 

This approach negates the independence of the Councils and their Chairmen hence, the autonomy being sort through the Bill in question. 

Rather than one man “the Governor” being in control of the local governments, each Council chairman controls his/her local government and is directly accountable to the people (the electorate). The bill ensures that the government closest to the people is totally in charge of the fund due to it from the federation account.

The second clause is headed “local government funding and administration”

This amendment seeks to provide the framework and standard for local government administration across the country. It provides for a uniform tenure of 3 years for all elected government council officials (Chairmen and Councilors), and to empower the federation Accounts Allocation Committee to remit LGA allocations to only LGAs with democratically elected officials.

In summary, the proposed Bills are targeted at strengthening local government administration by guaranteeing its democratic existence, funding and tenure.  

In conclusion, let me call all Nigerians, especially the youths, to monitor the process of the constitutional review to the states House of Assembly and ensure that all the adopted resolutions transmitted to them shall be passed.

Finally, let me draw the attention of esteemed readers again, to the fact that at least 24 states must vote in favour of the Bill at their state Assembly election, before the Clauses are deemed successful. It is on the strength of this that I call on you, the reader to mobilize massively to hold your state Assembly members to work, and to ensure easy passage of the Bills. This festive period provides opportunity to engage them on the subject of local government Autonomy. Your slogan should be “No support for local government autonomy, no vote” for you”!