Federal Govt Sets Up Committee to Enforce Local Govts Autonomy

The Federal Government has taken a significant step towards enhancing the autonomy of local governments in Nigeria by inaugurating a 10-member Inter-Ministerial Committee. This committee, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has been tasked with enforcing the recent Supreme Court judgement of July 11, 2024, which granted financial autonomy to local governments across the country.

The announcement was made in Abuja through a statement issued by Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The statement highlighted the importance of the committee in ensuring the effective implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling, which aims to empower local governments to operate independently from state governments.

The committee, chaired by Senator Akume, comprises high-ranking officials including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and the Accountant General of the Federation. Other key members include the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

Additionally, representatives from state governors and local governments will serve on the committee to ensure broad-based support and implementation at all levels.

Imohiosen emphasized that the committee’s primary objective is to guarantee that local governments are granted full autonomy, enabling them to function without undue interference from state governments.

This move is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to upholding the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, which recognizes local governments as the third tier of government. By doing so, the administration seeks to strengthen grassroots governance, improve service delivery, and promote sustainable development across the country.

The formation of this committee marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to decentralize power and enhance the efficiency of local governance in Nigeria. It reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to implement critical reforms that will empower local governments to better serve their communities and contribute to national development.