NLC, NULGE call for local government autonomy

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) have called for the autonomy of local government administration in order to liberate the local governments from the grip of state governors. The Presidents of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and  NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel made this call at a Round Table […]

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) have called for the autonomy of local government administration in order to liberate the local governments from the grip of state governors.
The Presidents of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and  NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel made this call at a Round Table Discussion on Local Government Autonomy, organized by NULGE in Abuja.
Comrade Wabba enjoined NULGE to be steadfast and continue the struggle as the NLC will fully support the union to ensure that the autonomy of local government is granted.
The NLC president said: “I want to assure you that NLC will fully support and canvass for local government autonomy. Local governments must be allowed to use their funds. I want to urge you to continue the struggle. The local governments must be liberated.”
The NLC president said that the issue of joint account should be looked into, saying the joint account has not served the purpose for which it was intended for.
“If we all believe that the majority of our people live in local government areas, then that is where development is needed most. So, we will continue to canvas for autonomy. I am also happy that the current National Assembly, with some of their utterances and dispositions, we can also say we can have an ally in the area of strengthening local government administration and also canvassing for autonomy for local governments.”
According to him, what NULGE has started is an initiative that will bring development closer to the people.
He said, “In the old good days when our local government system was very functional and effective, the issue of security, agriculture, the issue of providing  jobs for the teeming youth were actually being addressed at that time. Therefore, we must return to the basis if we want to address the challenge in our economy, our polity or even in our social life.”
He lamented the unemployment situation in Nigeria, saying through an effective local government system, the agricultural sector can be reinvigorated to curb the high rate of unemployment in the country.
In his remarks, NULGE President, Comrade Khaleel said that the autonomy for local government system is not negotiable and called for support from all stakeholders in ensuring this objective.
He noted that stronger financial autonomy for local government would help strengthen its activities, adding that the union was working assiduously to ensure that the constitutional reforms of local government was formulated and updated.
Comrade Khaleel said that the importance of the round table discussion is to produce a rich policy document that will engage government and other interested party in making local government stronger in our country.