Victor EzejaThe Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) has commended Nigeria’s Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by FOSAD President, Dr Stephen Nwala, and Secretary General, Dr Uzor Ngoladi, the group said the ruling “is a pivotal step toward stimulating grassroots development and enhancing democratic governance at the local level.”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelFOSAD noted that the Supreme Court’s ruling will empower LGAs to have greater control over their finances, enabling them to address challenges affecting local communities and implement development projects in line with their specific needs.
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Financial independence is crucial for the efficient delivery of essential public services such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social welfare programs, which significantly impact the daily lives of citizens,” FOSAD emphasised.
It noted that for too long, activities in local governments have been hindered by a lack of financial independence, leading to delayed projects and inadequate public services.
It pointed out that “centralization of funds has stifled local innovation and responsiveness, often resulting in the misallocation of resources.
“By granting financial autonomy, the Supreme Court’s judgment addresses these issues, paving the way for more accountable and transparent governance at the grassroots level.”
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The Forum of South-east Academic Doctors posited that the decision of the apex court is in line with the principles of federalism enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. “It reaffirms the importance of LGAs as the third tier of government, essential for fostering development and improving the quality of life for all Nigerians.”
FOSAD advised that LGAs should not rely solely on federal allocation but create other viable sources of generating revenue.
“FOSAD calls on all stakeholders, including state and federal governments, to respect and implement the Supreme Court’s ruling in both letter and spirit. Proper implementation of financial autonomy for LGAs will lead to significant socio-economic transformation, reduce poverty, and create more opportunities for sustainable development at the grassroots level.
“To strengthen the effective implementation and enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling, FOSAD calls for the speedy amendment of the laws guiding local government elections. To this end, we recommend that the constitution be amended to transfer the conduct of local government elections to INEC. This will ensure that proper elections are conducted as most state electoral commissions cannot handle the new dimensions of the Supreme Court ruling.
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“FOSAD hereby lauds the Supreme Court for its progressive stance and urges local government officials to leverage this autonomy to drive meaningful change and development in their respective areas. This ruling marks a new dawn for local governance in Nigeria, promising a brighter and more prosperous future for all communities.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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