The Public Office Holders Association of Nigeria (POHAN) says full autonomy to local governments will lead to improved service delivery and development at the grassroots.
The National President of POHAN, Dr MD Eseyin, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, hailed Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments in the country.
Eseyin commended the Federal Government for its political will in initiating the crucial case at a time.
He said this was commendable at a time when local governments in Nigeria were grappling with numerous challenges including finance, tenure, and independence to function as the third tier of government as enshrined in the constitution.
He described the judgment as a significant step to ensure that local governments have the necessary resources to operate effectively and deliver essential services to the grassroots.
“This landmark judgment is a victory for democracy and good governance.
“It provides a solid foundation for local governments to operate independently and efficiently, ultimately leading to improved service delivery and development at the grassroots,” Eseyin said.
He said that with financial autonomy it was now imperative for the Federal Government to take further steps to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct local government elections.
This, according to him would ensure complete transparency and fairness in the electoral process at the local level.
Eseyin also called for the strengthening of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
He said that ALGON could now play a more significant role in policy formulation through peer reviews, monitoring, and capacity building initiatives aimed at fostering grassroots development.
He said that by enhancing ALGON’s capabilities, local governments could work collaboratively to address common challenges and drive sustainable development across the country.
He reiterated the association’s commitment to support initiatives that promoted the autonomy and effectiveness of local governments in Nigeria.
He said the association believed that with the right policies and frameworks in place, local governments could significantly contribute to the nation’s development goals.(NAN
