The Senate on Wednesday began moves to strengthen local government administration in the country and shield it from the interference of governors. This is sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Abdullahi Gumel (APC), representing Jigawa North Senatorial District.
In his lead debate, Gumel wondered why elected Council executives would be dissolved for Caretaker Committees and the flagrant abuse of Local systems by governors stressing that the trend has generated lots of petitions.
“Deeply worried by the flood of petition from Nigerians and stakeholders in particular on the current situation of State – Local Government Relations especially in the light of rampant dissolution of elected Council officials and enthronement of unelected Caretaker Committee, and the long standing issue of funding for the Councils in line their constitutional responsibilities,” Gumel submitted.
He added that it was in line with the mood of Nigerians that the third tier of government works effectively, reminding the Senate that such desires was succinctly captured in President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural speech that local governments be allowed their independence.
Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, in his contribution, attributed the collapse of the third tier government to the greed of governors who introduced joint local government account in order to dish out peanuts to Council areas.
Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, recalling his experience as former governor, explained that most Council Administrators in Nigeria were too inexperienced in handling of funds at the local levels.
“Mr. President, as a former governor, I have conducted three local government elections within a space of eight years, and my experience was that majority of Council Chairmen across the Federation were inexperienced as they would owe workers for months”, he said.
However, Senator Dino Melaye’s choice of words by using “satanic manipulation” to describe state governors handling of local government funds attracted anger when Akpabio through point of Order asked that he withdraw that statement.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, while supporting Akpabio on the withdrawal of the statement, reminded Melaye not to be emotional in generalizing issues of the nature, but Dino insisted when he said: “There were satanic manipulation of local government resources by some governors”.
“In Kogi State where I come from, local government workers were being paid 30% or at most 40% of their monthly salaries in the last five years,” he said.
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