Financial Autonomy: ALGON, EFCC Join Forces to Foster Accountability

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has announced a partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to educate its members across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas on key issues including procurement, financial management, due process, accountability, and transparency.

This collaboration was highlighted in a communique released at the conclusion of ALGON’s 49th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held on Wednesday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The communique, jointly signed by ALGON’s National Publicity Secretary, Bala Chamoo, and National Treasurer, Gazal Babatunde, outlined seven key resolutions aimed at strengthening the association’s ability to serve the Nigerian populace effectively.

Key resolutions include:

• Partnership with EFCC: The NEC has partnered with the EFCC to provide orientation for local government officials on procurement practices, financial spending, due process, accountability, and transparency.
• Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement: The NEC expressed gratitude for the multi-stakeholder engagements that have followed the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024 judgment, which granted full autonomy to local governments. These engagements have played a significant role in enhancing the capacity of local government administrations and addressing challenges posed by the judgment.
• Service Delivery and Expectations: The NEC acknowledged the increasing expectations from local government areas and area councils, committing to intensifying efforts to achieve tangible improvements in service delivery.
• Advocacy and Partnerships: The NEC emphasized its ongoing high-level advocacy efforts, including meetings and mobilization initiatives aimed at strengthening local government administration. These efforts have included engagements with key ministries, departments, and agencies such as the Federal Ministries of Health, Education, Finance, Budget and Planning, Petroleum Resources, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
• Supreme Court Judgment Implementation: The NEC welcomed the establishment of a Federal Government Steering Committee tasked with enforcing and implementing the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government financial autonomy. ALGON pledged its support to ensure the realization of this autonomy, particularly in revising the local government structure to better meet the needs of the people.
• Optimism and Expected Outcomes: The NEC expressed optimism about the positive outcomes anticipated from the full realization of local government autonomy.
• Primary Healthcare Services: The NEC is working to ensure the completion of primary healthcare centers across the country, with plans to invite the project consultant for a briefing on the status of these initiatives.

The communique emphasized ALGON’s dedication to advancing the interests of local government councils and enhancing service delivery for all Nigerians residing in the country’s 774 local government areas.