Connect with us

Senate

LG autonomy: Senate renews bid, accuses govs of misappropriating LG funds

Published

on

***wants LG elections conducted by INEC

The Senate has blamed state governors for holding back the development of the grassroots through deliberate misappropriation of funds meant for Local Government Areas.

Adopting a motion sponsored by Senator Suleiman AbdulRahman Kawu, (NNPP, Kano state), the Senate also advocated for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to given the leeway to conduct of all local government elections.
The senate called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently initiate a national discussion with relevant stakeholders that would culminate in removing Local Government from the shackle of state Governments

Contributing to debate on the motion, Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, who presided over yesterday’s plenary session, lamented that conduct of local government elections has lost credibility.

He noted that unlike the early days of democracy when local government elections were conducted in a free and fair manner, there is no longer respect for such elections because of immense irregularities and abuses.

On the abuse of local government funds, Barau expressed disgust that “some governors are misappropriating LG funds”

He said “during the Military and early part of the 4th Republic, the local government areas were having their autonomy and there was full sense of security prevailing there. The economies of all these local governments was booming. Rural urban migration was very small. Even councilors were awarding contracts; the money was there and they were doing very well. Even some local governments were doing very because the have their internally generated revenue.

See also  Senator Basheer Lado Pays Tribute to Late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah

“Why did that happen? First of all, all of you have forgotten who conducted that local government election that brought those people to power. It was Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It was not State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM). People went on their own, contested elections, they weren’t errand boy of anybody. They won their elections. These are people with credibility who knew what they were doing. That is why you have that scenario the way it was” Jibrin stressed.

Continuing, the deputy senate president said:
“Now there are no elections; they are just called elections. Some were even sworn in in shrines, Churches and Mosques saying if you put my name, I will ever be loyal to you. So, what do you expect from those people? After the grant has been given to local governments, they will give them blank cheques to sign and that money will be removed in line with the whelms and caprices of the state governors. We know this. You will see paper works, everything being done properly, but that is what you could see on a mere paper, but the real thing is done according to the whelms and caprices of the state governors.

See also  Despite lapses Senate approves Tinubu's N27.5tr 2024 Budget for further legislative processes 

Agreeing with prayers of the motion, Jibrin said “as it is being said, the president is a true, progressive democrat. He believes in the autonomy of the local government. But in this process, he will only lead, then we in the National Assembly will follow and then he will convince the governors.

“We are operating in a democracy, the governors control the state assemblies. I’m sorry to say this but it is a fact. Let them understand, so that we will have it just like before, have normalcy in our local governments.

“Now, all these billions of federal government funds to provide bore holes, build health centers in all our local governments, after you have done that, those projects remain unattended to, nobody maintains them. They rot away because the local governments that are supposed to maintain them, just because of N5,000 to buy small nut to fix a bore hole, the bore hole will remain like that because the councillor or chairman who should provide the money doesn’t have the funds” He added.

The Senate is also of the opinion that further allocation of funds to caretaker Committee-led local government areas be halted .

See also  Senate okays $500m loan request by FG

The upper legislative chamber equally urged Tinubu to “champion the cause of full autonomy for local governments in our nation” adding that “the challenges we face in the forms of persistent security threats, Rural Urban Migration, decaying infrastructure, and widespread unemployment demand bold action”

“And we believe that empowering local governments holds the key to unlocking a brighter future for all Nigerians” the Senate declared.

On the need for a national discussion on the autonomy for local government areas,the Senate said it believes that “convening a national dialogue involving governors, state legislators, local government officials, civil society organizations, and community leaders to discuss the roadmap towards achieving full local government autonomy would be useful in solving the country’s teething problems.
It urged Federal agencies to fully comply with existing legal provisions that empower local governments, ensuring timely release of allocated funds directly to their bank accounts and streamlining administrative processes;”The president should use his leadership and influence to persuade the federating units and all critical stakeholders in the constitutional alteration processes and administrative bottlenecks to embrace the vision of full local government autonomy in such a way that will grant them control over their resources, decisionmaking authority, and the power to chart their development paths”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Appointment

Creation of Ijebu State inches closer as bill scales first reading at senate

Published

on

Gbenga Daniel

In a historic move, the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed a bill for the first reading that is seeking to create Ijebu State from the existing Ogun State. The bill, titled “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2024 (Creation of Ijebu State),” was sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East Senatorial District.

During the plenary session, Senate Majority Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, introduced the bill as the “fourth order of the day,” with Senate President Godswill Akpabio presiding over the proceedings. The bill successfully passed its first reading, setting the stage for further legislative deliberations.

The push for Ijebu State creation is part of a broader national discussion on state creation aimed at fostering local governance, improving political representation, and boosting regional development. Proponents believe that Ijebu State would bring about greater administrative efficiency and promote economic growth in the region.

The legislative journey for state creation involves multiple stages, including further readings, committee reviews, and constitutional amendments. Approval requires a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and endorsement by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.

See also  Food insecurity: Ex President Biluhari's Naira redesign ran farmers aground - FG

If successful, Ijebu State would become Nigeria’s 37th state, underscoring ongoing efforts to address regional demands for administrative autonomy and improved governance.

Continue Reading

Senate

Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval for Social Investment Programme Amendment Bill

Published

on

Bola Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the National Social Investment Programme Agency Establishment Amendment Bill 2024 to the Senate for legislative approval. The proposed amendment aims to strengthen the framework for implementing the government’s social welfare programmes, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency.

In a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary, President Tinubu explained that the amendment seeks to designate the National Investment Register as the primary tool for targeting beneficiaries of social investment initiatives. This measure, he said, would ensure that welfare programmes are data-driven and deliver effective social protection to Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.

“The amendment will make our social and welfare programmes more transparent, efficient, and impactful in addressing the needs of vulnerable Nigerians,” the President stated.

He further noted that the request was made in accordance with Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and urged the Senate to give the bill urgent consideration.

See also  Senate, VP Shettima bid Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah farewell with glowing tributes

The proposed amendment, if passed, will improve the management and delivery of social investment programmes, enhancing their capacity to combat poverty and inequality across the country. The Senate has referred the bill to relevant committees for review and is expected to deliberate on the proposal in subsequent sessions.

This development indicates that the Tinubu’s administration is commited to leveraging technology and data to optimize the impact of its social welfare initiatives.

Continue Reading

Senate

Tinubu Requests Senate’s Confirmation for INEC Commissioners

Published

on

Bola Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a request to the Senate for the confirmation of nominees for the positions of Commissioners in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Tinubu stated that the request complies with the provisions of Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

The nominees for confirmation included Mr. Tukur Abdurazak Yusuf – National Electoral Commissioner, representing the Northwest, Professor Sunday Ajah – National Electoral Commissioner, representing the Southeast and Saseyi Fayemi
Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State
The President expressed hope that the Senate would consider and confirm the nominees in its usual expeditious manner.
The letter concluded with Tinubu extending his assurances of highest consideration to the Senate President and distinguished senators.

The Senate President referred the matter has been referred to the Senate Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters for further deliberation, with instructions to report back to the full assembly promptly.

See also  Despite lapses Senate approves Tinubu's N27.5tr 2024 Budget for further legislative processes 
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2021 Nigeria News Bite }