National president of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Muazu Maifata, has called for the upward review of the monthly allocation to the 774 councils in the country.
The call followed the recent autonomy granted to local government areas in the country by the Supreme Court.
Speaking to journalists in Lafia yesterday, Maifata commended the Apex Court for the landmark judgement and President Bola Tinubu for the bold and unprecedented steps taken to address the anomaly that had hitherto stultified development at the grassroots while reducing councils’ chief executives to puppets.
He called on the president and other stakeholders to urgently implement the necessary measures for the seamless transition envisaged by the judgement.
He observed that key among the measures is to get the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to urgently put machinery in motion to review the monthly statutory allocation to the third tier of government.
He said doing so would accelerate the much-anticipated transformation at the local government areas across the country.
“We are happy with the judgement. Nigeria and Nigerians accept the decision. Some governors have accepted the verdict and made pronouncements, especially the North Central Chairman of the Governors Forum and Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule.
“With this judgement, the future of local governments will be secured as it will create a robust economy, strengthen security, and address other challenges.
“We commend the President for his vision to empower the people thus. “This judgement will help us achieve that vision,” he stated.
He explained that the autonomy of local government had existed, noting that some players were not allowing it to work.
Maifata also addressed the issue of some state governments using local government funds, saying it is not peculiar to all state governors.
“Some governors, like those of Lagos, Nasarawa, and Delta, are not interfering with local government funds,” he said.
He opined that what the local government administration needs to do is to reciprocate the Supreme Court as well as the president’s gesture by ensuring accountability at the third tiers.
“We must be accountable and transparent in our dealings. This judgement is an opportunity for us to serve the people better,” he observed.