Independence of LGAs : Governor Sule To Scrap Ministry

Rabiu Omaku

Nasarawa State Government has taken a drastic measure to restructure the Local Government System in the State to conform to the ruling of the Supreme Court granting financial autonomy and fixed tenure of office.

The State Government forwarded an Executive Bill to the State House of Assembly seeking to amend Local Government Law in the State.

The Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau announced this during Monday’s sitting in Lafia the State capital after the House Leader Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara read the title of the bill for the first reading which was seconded by the Minority Leader Hon. Luka Iliya Zhekaba.

Jatau said the Executive Bill seeks to amend the existing LG law in the State to conform to the Supreme Court Judgment on the financial autonomy of the third tiers of government in the country.

“This is a Bill for a Law to Repeal and Re-enact the Establishment, Structure, Composition, Finance and Function of Local Government System in Nasarawa State, 2024 and Other Matters Connected Thereto” first reading.

The Speaker then slated Wednesday 16th October, 2024 for second reading of the bill.

It would be recalled that on the 11th of July, 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Councils, a judgement that is expected to refine the business of Governance at the grassroots in the Country.

In the aftermath of the apex court ruling, State Governors have taken measures to review, restructure, and re-enact local Government laws.

Perhaps, this explains why the Nasarawa State Government forwarded an Executive Bill in that wise to the State House of Assembly.

Addressing Journalists shortly after the day’s sitting, Hon. Jonah Ali Dizaho, the Chairman House Committee on Information said the State Government wants to restructure the Local Government laws and to enable it to conform with the issues of the moment and the reality on the ground which is the financial autonomy for LGAs in the State.

“The amendment of the LG law will among other things abolish the existing joint accounts as well as abolish the State Ministry for Local Government, Community Development, and Chieftaincy Affairs,” He said.

The Local Government amendment bill before the Nasarawa State House of Assembly is slated for a second reading on the 16th of October 2024 where it is expected that all the essentials and Areas of amendment in the bill will be rolled out and made known.