Governance
LG Autonomy : Nasarawa set to abolish ministry for LG, joint account
By David Odama
Nasarawa State Government is to review the Local Government law and make the System work in conformity with the ruling of the Supreme Court granting financial autonomy to the third tier of government.
To realize this, the State Government has forwarded an Executive Bill to the State House of Assembly seeking to amend Local Government Law in the State.
With the aftermath of the apex court rulling, State Governors have taken measures to review, restructure and re-enact local government laws.
Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Rt.
According to Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, the Executive Bill seeks to amend the existing LG law in the State to conform with the Supreme Court judgement on financial autonomy of the third tiers of government in the country.
The amendment of the LG law will among other things abolished the existing joint accounts as well as abolished the State Ministry For Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs” He said.
“The local government amendment bill before the House is slated for second reading on 16th of October 2024 where it is expected that all the essentials and areas of amendment in the bill will be rolled out and made known”.
“This is a Bill for a Law to Repeal and Re-enact the Establishment, Structure, Composition, Finance and Function of Local Government System in Nasarawa State, 2024 and Other Matters Connected Thereto” first reading. perhaps, this explains why the Nasarawa State Government forwarded an Executive Bill in that wise to the State House of Assembly”
Addressing Journalists shortly after the plenary, Hon. Jonah Ali Dizaho, the Chairman House Committee on Information disclosed that the state government’decision to restructure the local government laws to conform with the issues of the moment and the reality on ground in line with the financial autonomy for LG.
It would be recalled that on the 11th of July, 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Councils, a judgement that is expected to refine the business of governance at the grassroots in the Country.