Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Deputy Chief Whip, House of Representatives, on Tuesday called for a rethink on the autonomy of the Local Government.
She made the call at Day 2 of the South-West Zonal Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution organised by the House of Representatives Special Committee, in Lagos.
Onyejeocha, Member, House of Reps Ad-hoc Committee, Review of 1999 Constitution, said that the local government was the closest to the people and was, therefore, meant to be the first-line provider of services at the grassroots.
She, however, noted that the case was observed to have been different in Nigeria.
Onyejeocha recalled that Section 7 of the 1999 constitution which states, in part, that: ‘The system of local Government by democratically elected Local Government Council is under the Constitution guaranteed.’
She noted that the section was, however, observed more in breach as many states at various times do not have democratically elected local government councils or a secured tenure for councilors.
“As a country, we have not achieved desired gain citizens’ involvement in local governance.
“To address this, members of the public, through their memos, as well as many of our colleagues in the House through members bills, have proposed to grant full financial, autonomy to local government councils.
“”This is including administrative, executive and legislative autonomy.
“They have also proposed that Local Government should be made a tier of government with a uniform tenure.
“They also proposed that any Local Government Council that does not have democratically elected officials should be denied allocation from the Federation Account and other benefits from the State Government.”
She said that the amendment of section 7 of the Constitution to grant local governments autonomy was one that was overwhelmingly supported and passed by the past 8th Assembly.
“Unfortunately, it failed at the State level as it could not garner support from enough States to enable it sail through.
“It is hoped that serious thought and consideration will be given to this issue this time around and that the will of the people will prevail,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onyejeocha, of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia. (NAN)
