Nasarawa assembly hails Supreme Court over judgment on LG autonomy

The Nasarawa House of Assembly has commended the Supreme Court over its judgment granting financial autonomy to the 774 LGAs in Nigeria.

The commendation followed a matter of urgent public importance presented by Musa Ibrahim during a plenary on Monday in Lafia.

Mr Ibrahim, who represents the Doma North constituency of the state and chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, noted that the judgment would promote ‘even’ development at the grassroots.

Speaker of the parliament, Danladi Jatau, said that financial autonomy would ensure speedy and steady development in rural communities across the country.

Mr Jatau further described the apex court judgement as a ”victory for democracy.”

The speaker thanked President Bola Tinubu and the 36 governors for accepting the apex court’s decision, adding that such a move would further strengthen the nation’s democracy.

“This assembly aligns itself with the supreme court judgment granting financial autonomy to the 774 local government areas in the country. We congratulate Nigerians and, indeed, all lovers of democracy for this laudable feat.

“This will attract more dividends of democracy to our people at the grassroots; there will be improved standard of living among rural dwellers. Chairmen of local governments can now execute critical capital projects and initiate programmes that will better the living standard of the people,” the speaker said.

The apex court granted financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country on Thursday.

The Supreme Court, in suit No: SC/CV/343/2004, ordered the federal government to pay local government funds to area councils immediately directly.