NASS must urgently effect LG autonomy — Ahmad Lawan

NASS must urgently effect LG autonomy — Ahmad Lawan

A former president of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, has said that local government financial autonomy is a must.

This is as he urged the 10th National Assembly to as a matter of urgency effect judgment by the Supreme Court on local government financial autonomy.

Mr Lawan made the call during the 10th Senate retreat of the committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution taking place in Kano.

He said the local government are currently in comatose and must be resuscitated, noting that their non functional system could be attributed to the current level of insecurity in the country.

According to him, “I believe the Local Government financial autonomy is a must. The Supreme Court gave a judgment. This 10th National Assembly should give effect to that judgment. States should mind their business and deal with resources that are purely theirs.

“Our Local Government must be resuscitated. At the moment, they are in comatose, collapsed and completely docile and inefficient. In fact, in many states they don’t even exist in practical sense.

“And many of us could attribute the present level of insecurity in Nigeria to the collapse of local government system in Nigeria. Give them the opportunity to serve. If we feel the capacity is not there, let our Professors, present lawmakers and others who deserve to work for a local government should go back and serve at that level if that will make things go better,” Lawan said.

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He also advocated that constitutional roles be assigned to the traditional leaders or monarchs to find lasting solutions to issue of security bedeviling the country.

According to him, “I believe that our royal fathers have roles to play, especially when it comes to dealing with the security issues across the country. I don’t think we are realistic. We appear we just call them or address them and say we have issues please go and help. Can’t we give them the advisory role, official or formal role that will make them do better and even hold them accountable,” the former Senate President, Senator Lawan said.

Speaking while declaring the retreat open, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin cautioned the committees members of the constitution amendment to be very careful in their decision which should reflect the best interest of all Nigerians.

According to Jibrin, the committee would sincerely work in synergy with stakeholders to make sure the outcome of the exercise meet the yearning and aspirations of the people of the country.

He vowed to work with critical stakeholders including executive arm of government, state governors and state assemblies to come up with a robust report to be presented to the Senate for further actions.

“The Senate is ready to come up with a report, bearing in mind that any decision taken would have bearing on Nigerians,” he said.

Mr Jibrin said decisions taken by the committee would have positive effect on Nigerians and generations to come.

Earlier, the chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin reiterated it call for prompt transmission of the National Assembly’s resolution on the proposed amendments to the State Houses of Assembly to allow it to effectively fulfill it responsibilities.

NASS must urgently effect LG autonomy — Ahmad Lawan