Writing By Daniel Karlmax, Editing By Godwin Duru
Northern Christian Youth Professionals, NCYP has commended the move by the Federal Government to ensure the direct transfer of local government revenues from the Revenue Allocation Account Committee into the bank accounts of local government councils.
This is contained in a statement signed by the NCYP Chairman, Mr. Isaac Abrak and made available to Newsmen in Kaduna.
The development according to the group aligns with the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, that affirmed the financial autonomy of local governments.
It says in a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional and illegal for governors to receive and withhold funds allocated to local governments, and that the ruling mandated local governments to receive their allocations directly from the office of Accountant-General of the Federation.
As the financial autonomy takes effect, NYCP expresses concerns about the level of preparedness of local government council chairmen to effectively manage these funds.
This is in addition to the readiness of grassroot communities to collaborate with their councils to ensure these resources are optimally utilized for development.
The statement urges all councils to establish synergy with the people at the grassroots to avoid inefficiencies and misuse of resources, as many local government councils are unaccustomed to managing significant funds independently.
Mr. Isaac Abrak advises local government chairmen to periodically organize town hall meetings and engage their communities to identify priority projects that meet most pressing local needs.
“Ensure Transparency and Accountability: Provide regular updates on the utilization of funds to foster trust and collaboration with their constituents”
“Citizens at the grassroots, according to the statement are to form forums: Collaborate with their councils to monitor allocations and expenditure,
“Hold Local Governments Accountable: Demand transparency and ensure resources are effectively used for community development,” It says.
NCYP also calls on the civil society organizations and advocacy groups to step in by organizing sensitization programs and town hall meetings to educate citizens on their role in holding local governments accountable.
It further urges financial regulatory bodies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC to establish dedicated units to monitor fund utilization and prosecute offenders.
“The National Orientation Agency, NOA also has a critical role in reorienting Local Government Councils and grassroots communities on the importance of these funds for grassroots and national development”
While commending President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the committee led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, for their dedication to implementing the Supreme Court judgment, NCYP calls for periodic training and workshops focusing on budgeting and the use of modern IT tools to build the capacity of staff.
It points that it is imperative to emphasize to Council Chairmen the importance of publicly disclosing their budgets, as this will not only enhance effective governance and accountability at the grassroots but also protect them from false accusations or political blackmail.
NYCP commends the state governors for their support of local government autonomy and emphasized that the essence of this autonomy is to drive grassroots development and not to impose a burden on them.
Mr. Abrak adds that it is crucial for local government council chairmen to exercise prudence and resist mismanagement of funds.
“Reports of chairmen appointing excessive aides, such as over 100 in some cases, raise concerns about frugality and the proper use of resources”.
He stresses that the local government being the closest tier of government to the people, have immense potential to drive development.
“The success of Counties (America’s version of our LGAs) in the United States as powerful entities with efficient systems, including education, can serve as a model for Nigerian LGAs.”
As a critical pillar, and the the fourth estate of the realm, NYCP calls on media organizations to establish dedicated desks to consistently report on the progress made by local government councils and shed light on their challenges.
It says this would facilitate continuous dialogue among the related organs of the Federal Government, LGAs, and citizens, driving the formulation of effective solutions and fostering sustainable development at the grassroots.
NYCP emphasizes that empowering the grassroots is fundamental to achieving national development, as successes of this initiative will strengthen the bond between citizens and the government, fostering a deeper sense of nationalism, patriotism, and the core values needed for Nigeria to realize its potential as a leading force in Africa and on the global stage.
Daniel Karlmax
