Supreme Court judgement: ALGON, others set agenda for LGs

Reactions have continued to trail the Supreme Court verdict which granted fiscal autonomy to the 774 local government areas, with various stakeholders canvassing measures to ensure effective implementation of the ruling.

There are also fears in some quarters that local government chairmen may be unable to manage the freedom, just as others raised concerns that the governors may remain in control through the back door.

However, the president of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Muazu Maifata, told DAILY POST in an interview that the judgement would usher in general turnaround in the development of the rural areas.

Maifata, who expressed happiness with the Supreme Court ruling, sought the upward review of the monthly allocation to the 774 local government councils in the country.

He said the judgment had secured the future of local governments, stressing that Nigerians and some state governors have accepted the verdict.

The ALGON boss urged the local government administration to reciprocate the Supreme Court judgement, as well as the president’s gesture by ensuring accountability at the third tier.

“We are happy with the judgement. Nigeria and Nigerians accept the decision.

“Some governors, like those of Lagos, Nasarawa, and Delta are not interfering with local government funds.

“With this judgement, the future of local governments will be secured as it will create a robust economy, strengthen security, and address other challenges.

“We commend the President for his vision to empower the people thus. This judgement will help us achieve that vision.

“We must be accountable and transparent in our dealings. This judgement is an opportunity for us to serve the people better,” he stated.

Also speaking to DAILY POST, a human rights advocate, Mr Auwal Gombe from Gombe State, said with the granting of fiscal autonomy to local government, he expects improved infrastructural development.

“As a grassroots person, I expect improved infrastructure development, enhanced basic services, agricultural development, youth empowerment, transparency and accountability, community engagement, local economic growth, improved security, environmental management and grassroots development projects.

“By expecting these outcomes, I believe fiscal autonomy will enable local governments to become more responsive, effective, and accountable to the people, leading to meaningful development and improved living standards at the grassroots level,” he said.

According to a psychologist, Mcfrederick Edache, the people at the grassroot expect the local governments to identify community needs and execute them without playing politics with them.

He said, “Let the 774 local government areas in the country identify community needs and execute them. Needs such as water, electrification, road, primary healthcare, schools, agricultural equipment and youth empowerment.”

An FCT resident, Oyiwona Augustine, said that the anticipation of the grassroot people was that there should be improvement in standard of living.

“In a country where things work, this should be the channel through which the rural people would begin to enjoy the true dividends of democracy, which they have been denied for decades.

“I don’t want to sound like a prophet of doom, but based on the Nigerian system, I foresee misuse of powers, looting and extravagant spending,” he added.

Ali Adams from Suleja, Niger State, who decried infrastructural decay in the rural areas said the fiscal autonomy granted local government should be a panacea for giant development in all ramifications.

“Honestly, most of the rural areas are underdeveloped because of financial constraints.

“But now the local government can go on repairing some minor roads, drilling boreholes for the community, maintaining some primary schools, especially their building, paying vigilantes and hunters to protect the local areas and providing electricity to the local areas,” he said.

A Lagos resident, Agih Isaac Sylvester, said he expects to see more developments in rural areas, adding that the powers and functions of LGAs were contained in the Constitution and other statutory laws.

He said, “I expect to see especially the implementation of those functions to their fullest.

“Let citizens at the grassroots feel the presence of the government and vice versa.”

As for Joseph Adah, a resident of Mararaba, Nasarawa state, he expects a better economic life and inclusion in government policies and programs.

He told DAILY POST that, “Since allocations from the federal government will now be made straight to local governments for immediate use unlike when it will have to pass through the state and will definitely slow down the purposes to which the allocation is being made, we expect a turnaround development wise.”

Peter Uloko from Kaduna State said the Supreme Court ruling is an opportunity for better governance at grassroot level, adding that it might be the people’s worst nightmare if the councils were not held accountable, especially most local government chairmen in the big cities.

He said, “holding them accountable won’t be so easy, but I believe in rural areas, most will experience development.”