The Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights, a non-profit organisation, has called for greater accountability in the implementation of the Financial Autonomy for the Local Governments.
The Executive Director of the centre, Dr Emeka Ononamadu, made the call while addressing newsmen in Owerri, on Thursday, shortly after a stakeholders’ engagement on the Freedom of Information Act and Local Governance in Nigeria.
The forum was organised by the centre, in collaboration with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
Ononamadu spoke on the theme: “Reviving Local Governance: Citizens – Led Advocacy for Local Government Budget Accountability and Reform”.
He said that Local Government Autonomy and improved accountability would reduce corruption in the country, strengthen the local economy and reduce insecurity.
He also said that the Supreme Court judgment, which affirmed the Local Government Financial Autonomy should be respected and implemented to the letter.
“The administration of President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly raised concerns that the large allocations meant for Local Governments are not reflecting in development outcomes across Nigeria and this concern is legitimate.
“The supreme Court ruled that allocations from the Federation Account meant for Local Governments should be paid directly to the councils, rather than through State Governments, and this was widely celebrated.
“It is unfortunate that the expected transformation has yet to occur,“ Ononamadu said.
He, therefore, called for full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment and a quick amendment to the State-Local Government Joint Account system, provided for under Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He said that doing so would further enhance job creation, delivery of essential services and local economic development.
“Local Government Autonomy, combined with strong accountability systems, will not only reduce corruption, but also stimulate local economic growth, strengthen rural development, and reduce insecurity across the country.
“For Nigeria, local government reform is not merely a governance issue, it is a national development imperative,“ Ononamadu said.
