Since the recent Supreme Court judgment granting fiscal autonomy to local governments, a lot is being said by stakeholders in the media on how the judgment should better be implemented.
This is as the Federal Government is reported to have set up a committee to ensure a smooth implementation of the judgment in the country.
However, on Thursday August 29, 2024, the Committee For The Defence Of Human Rights (CDHR) and Centre For Anti-Corruption And Open Leadership (CACOL) used the sixth Citizens Accountability And Rights Forum (CARF) to give a practical approach to the implementation of this historic judgment.
The theme of the event was, “Prognosing into the Future of Local Government Autonomy in Lagos State: Prospects and Challenges.” Those invited to the event included Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Authorities (LCDAs) in the state. Many who could not attend due to official engagements sent in representatives.
Also, Gbenga Omotosho, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategies, who was also invited, sent in Adesegun AdegunOgundejo, a Director of Public Affairs, to represent him, while the Dr. Abiodun Afolabi, Special Adviser, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, sent Haruna Ayodeji a top official in the department, to stand in for him.
The Keynote Speaker and Deputy Governor of Lagos State Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, could not make it to the event and did not send any official to represent him. But, the event also witnessed a good presence of the media.
Welcoming the participants, Debo Adeniran, a veteran activist, who doubles as the CDHR President, and CACOL Chairman, described the event as a bold step in the commitment of both groups’ (CDHR and CACOL) commitment to contribute in the creation of a peaceful atmosphere between the people on the demand side of governance in Lagos State and those on the supply side.
He stated that the CARF is a platform being organised to create an avenue where the implementers and the beneficiaries of various government policies would come together to explain, elucidate and expatiate on areas of concern for the citizenry with a view to harmonising different opinions on policies that are being implemented in the state.
According to him, “This event provides a forum for healthy exchanges of ideas so that the areas of friction between the government and the governed would be drastically reduced if not totally eliminated because the people would have sense of belonging and the government would have the opportunity of listening to the people and explaining their positions on diverse policy issues that may crop up at a particular time.
“We are convinced that this will definitely bring about a harmonious relationship between the government and the governed. Today, we want to again beam our searchlight on the third tier of government in Lagos State. With the theme, ‘Prognosing into the Future of Local Government Autonomy in Lagos State: Prospects and Challenges’, we would like to explore the different angles to the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to the local governments.”
He maintained that it would be impossible to discuss the topic without the inputs of the various local government chairmen in the state, hence invitation to several local government chairmen to the event.
He expressed the hope that their contributions would contribute to the knowledge sharing being envisaged and would also help to consolidate the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
Adeniran noted that local government is one of man’s oldest institutions, informing that the earliest form of local governments exists in the form of clan and village meetings.
He stressed that, in fact, democracy originated and developed along the lines of local governance initiatives in the ancient Greek city states, even as he added that one of the major functions of local government is to bring about meaningful development in the rural areas. He said: “As agents of rural development, LGs are to utilise the funds obtained from Federal and State Governments and their internally generated revenue to improve the lives of the people within their areas of operation such as: Initiating and attracting developmental projects like provision of access roads, water and rural electricity to the Local Government Area. It is important to appreciate the importance of the local government administration in any political and governance structure. Without doubt, it is the foundation on which the superstructure of the state is based and the most effective tier of government to meet the basic needs of the citizens as it is the tier closest to the people. “The proper administration of the Local Government system is the fastest and most reliable way to bring development and the gains of democracy closest to the people of Lagos State. The recent pronouncement by the Supreme Court that granted financial autonomy to local government areas in the country may just be the catalyst that will change the turn of events for local administrations in the country.
“We viewed it as a significant milestone in promoting grassroots development, good governance, and democratic decentralisation in Nigeria. The verdict will enable Local Governments to make decisions and take actions without needing approval from State Governments, they can now manage their finances, collect revenues, and allocate resources without state government interference.
“This will boost their independence and direct accountability to the electorates. They can now also focus on delivering services and development projects that will lead to better governance and accountability.
“We congratulate the LG administrators that the Supreme Court decision has conferred immunity against arbitrary removal from office and against tinkering with their funds from the federation account by state authorities.
“Notwithstanding, they should realise that they don’t have immunity against both civil and criminal prosecutions. They should, therefore, tread softly not to run foul of the extant laws against corruption, misuse and abuse of power.
“Although, some citizens have expressed their reservations about the level of corruption that may arise as a result of the financial autonomy granted the local government areas, on our own part, we believe that Lagos State signed on to the Open Governance Project (OGP) in 2020. That imposes a duty on government at all levels in the state to come clear on their activities and put everything in the open.
“It should also be noted that local government Chairmen do not have immunity. They can be sued while in office. They can even be jailed while in office. On our part, we have itemisedsome of our plans to put local government administrators on their toes as far as prudent and judicious spending of resources in their coffers is concerned.”
Adeniran stated the different ways CDHR and CACOL will check corruption and looting of local government funds by tracking them right from Abuja and using the Freedom of Information Act, among others.
It would be noted that although Lagos State has 20 local governments, the Bola Tinubu administration as the state governor, created 37 LCDAs, thereby bringing the number of local councils to 57, which people believe would create conflicts in the area of sharing the allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
In his contribution, Mr Ogundeji who represented Mr Omotosho posited that the conflicts observed in many states as regards the implementation of the local government autonomy do not exist in Lagos State.
According to him, “There is collaboration between the state government and the local governments in the areas of deliverables and what they can afford. Lagos State government has not tampered with Local government autonomy. More money will be coming into the local governments.”
He also stressed that most of the local governments in the state have very good secretariats and they have been carrying out their responsibilities in terms of providing infrastructure and other services, such as health and education, although the state government has been in charge of paying the primary school teachers and their pensions.
Contributing, Mr Ayodeji, representing Dr Afolabi, the Special Adviser, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, opined that states the need for transparency and accountability by local government chiefs to ensure that they use their funds well.
He explained that officials of his department have been going to the local government areas to create awareness and enlighten them, assess their needs and know what they expect from the government.
An official from the Etiosa Local Government also stated that the local government has been up and doing in the provision of health facilities, primary school infrastructure, roads, etc.
Hon. Sekiru Adeniyi, the Vice Chairman of the Epe LG, stirred the hall when he said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be conducting council elections as it does to the other state and federal elections. He also called for immunity for local government chairman and their vice chairman as it applied to the President, Vice President, governors and deputy governors, stressing that what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander.
He said that local governments are ready to offer employment to more people if there is sufficient funds, lamenting that most sources of revenue for governments have been taken over by the state government.
Hon. Oladokun Olakanmi, the Chairman of Onigbongbo local government, maintained that local governments need financial autonomy as the autonomy granted by the Supreme Court is not absolute. He also outlined what he has been doing in his local government to bring governance closer to the people.
He also stressed that local government chiefs provide ‘stomach infrastructure’ to the people at the local level, even as he called on the people not to be docile, but should pick interest in what is happening in their domain.
