LGs Seek Autonomy For Effective Service Delivery

By Garry Ochigbo

The Federal Government has been urged to grant financial autonomy to local governments for effective service delivery at the grassroots.

The National President, National Forum for Heads of Local Government Administration in Nigeria, FOHALGAN, Abdulrahman Marafa, made the call at a forum in Abuja.

Marafa said the 3rd annual forum was aimed at bringing together heads of administration from local governments across the six geopolitical zones to brainstorm on good governance and effective service delivery to those at the grassroots.

Marafa explained that over 770 local government administrators convene annually to identify common problems, and propose solutions through policies and programs in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the denial of rights and privileges to some local governments, the national president appealed to the federal and state governments to intervene in the issue of proper funding, in line with the 1999 constitution, as the third-tier of government has direct links with people at the grassroots.

The Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the forum, Mr. Attahiru Ibrahim, stated that the forum also seeks to discuss and find solutions to major challenges in meeting the yearnings of the people.

Ibrahim called on the federal government to grant the third arm of government total autonomy to function effectively and deliver its statutory mandate in the interest of those at the grassroots.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Mandu Ekpeyong, emphasized that the annual forum brings local administrators together to discuss their successes, shortcomings, and chart the way forward.

She appealed to the federal government to consider a harmonized salary structure for local government administration to enhance better service delivery.

Edited By Grace Namiji