Deputy Speaker House of Reps, advocates for a virile, autonomous, accountable LG system

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Dr Benjamin Kalu, has advocated for a virile, autonomous and accountable Local Government system in Nigeria to transform grassroots governance.

Kalu made the call in Nsukka on Monday in a keynote address during an International Conference, tagged, “50 Years of Local Government Reforms in
Nigeria,

Organised by the Department of Public Administration and Local Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) held at the Princess Alexandria Auditorium of the university.

In his keynote address titled: ” From Dual Mandate to Democratic Local
government System in Nigeria: Navigating the Murky
Waters of Politics and Constitutional Bottlenecks,”

Kalu said a focused local government system would mobilise human and material resources as well as ensure grassroots development in 774 local government areas in the country.

” 50 years ago those who proposed LG reform believed it will not only mobilize human and material resources but also will serve as a vehicle for rural development.

“Their thought was correct but unfortunately players in the system have lacked the required political will to actualise the objective of 1976 LG reform.

“The political will to align chairmen, councilors and administrative structures to provide quality service to 220 million Nigerians in 774 LGs.whose daily lives depend on the third tier of government, appears to be lacking,” he said.

The National Lawmaker applauded the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024 on local government financial and administrative autonomy aimed to empower local government councils to bring required development to rural areas

” It’s unfortunate that only 14 states in the country out of 36 have substantially complied and implemented this landmark Supreme Court judgment on LGs autonomy

“The waters may be mucky and navigation difficult but the destination is clear as democratic, autonomous and accountable local government system will fulfil the main purpose the third tier of government was established in the country.

The Deputy Speaker who was represented in the event by Chief Chidi Obetta representing Nsukka/Igboeze-South in House of Representatives expressed appreciation to the organizer of the conference for finding him worthy to present the Keynote address in the conference.

In a remark Chief Nana Ogbodo, the Chairman of Enugu State Local Government Service Commission said 50 years ago the landmark 1976 LG reform altered the landscape of grassroots governance in the country.

Ogbodo noted that, for the first time LG was recognized as distinct, multifunctional and legally empowered third tier of government designed to bring administration closer to the people.

‘The intent was to catalize rural development, ensure local economic participation and serve as training ground for democratic leadership.

According to him, true reflection of the journey of five decades, one would admit that the journey had fraught with structural obstacles in which noble constitutional provisions have faced severe constraints ranging from administrative overreach by secondary factors across many states in the federation.

This structural distortion in LGA resulted in weak administrative dependencies, stifling their ability to execute their statutory mandates, improve grassroots security or upgrade basic infrastructures in their areas.

The chairman of the commission pledged to sustain the long-standing partnership between the commission and UNN Department of Public Administration and Local Government.

” The department has been the institutional lifeblood of our administrative machinery, for decades UNN has served as our primary crucible for manpower training and professional capacity building,” he said.

Earlier in a remark, Prof Tony Onyishi, Head of Department, Public Administration and Local Govenment in UNN, said that the landmark reform of 1976 remain a watershed in the history of LG in the country because of its three major features.

Unification of local government system, harmonization of LG with national public service scheme and constitutional recognition of LG as the third tier of government in our federal structure.

“To celebrate this golden jubilee our department a leading centre for training and development of local government staff, thought it conspicuous to convene this international conference.

“The event has been designed to take multi stakeholders form involving the academia, Legislature/policy making eco-space, practitioners, traditional authorities and communities.

“With focus on the achievements, challenges and prospects of LGs in the country,’he said.

Onyishi explained that the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives (Kalu) is the most appropriate to present the keynote address being the Chairman House of Reps Committee on Constitution Amendment.

“This event is another golden opportunity to articulate historic resolutions especially now that
our national and state legislatures are working assiduously towards repositioning Nigeria local government system for a greater positive impact on the nation’s development quest.

The HOD disclosed that during the three-day event over 120 papers would be delivered both physically and virtually.
Our correspondent reports that, the conference was well attended by staff, students of UNN, LG workers in Enugu State as well as people from different walks of life.
Highlight of the event was presentation of award of excellence to Kalu the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives by the Department of Public Administration and Local Govenment of UNN.