A public policy expert and former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Ade Dosunmu, MON, has commended the federal government’s moves to grant full autonomy to local governments through efforts of the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
Dosunmu made this commendation in a sttement disseminated on Tuesday, where he stressed that the nation’s democratic journey has been slow due to lack of autonomy for local governments.
The policy expert opined that financial and administrative autonomy for local governments will be a game changer in the Nigerian democratic experience.
His words: “The proposal by the Federal Government to grant full Autonomy to the local governments in Nigeria is a welcome development and long overdue. I commend the Federal government whose Attorney General Of The Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN has approached the Supreme Court to pursue this landmark initiative.”
“The office of the Attorney General Of The Federation should however, bear in mind the ambiguity in the 4th schedule and Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which recognised local governments as the third tier of government but also in a contradictory manner gives some functions to State Government and Houses of Assembly with regards to Local Government Administration.”
Dosunmu stated that the contradictory clauses in the Nigerian constitution with regards to local government roles need to be amended to reflect the complete financial and administrative autonomy operated in other federal systems.
“I commend the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for this bold step and urge him to go all out to break this jinx by removing the clog in the wheel of our development and progress.”
“You can imagine the impact that will be created if 774 local governments are independent and free from the apron spring of the state governments. Nigerians will immediately start enjoying the dividends of democracy directly across the country in all the 774 Local Governments and also have a say in determining the political leadership at their local governments,” he said.
According to him, another benefit of this initiative is that it will attract more quality personalities to take part in the running of local governments and reduce the emphasis on the state and federal governments, leading to more political inclusiveness.
Dosunmu noted that the power to govern and make decisions independently which can lead to efficient service delivery, even as it will foster transparency and accountability as local governments will be responsible for their decisions, finances and actions leading to better governance.
“In summary, granting full autonomy to local governments in Nigeria will lead to better governance, increased citizens participation, improved service delivery, and accelerate development at the grassroots level. This is no doubt the way to go in our determination to achieve good governance and development,” he remarked.
