By Muhammad Amaan
The Kano Network of NGOs (KANET) on Saturday applauded the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the autonomy of the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria.
A statement issued by Secretary of KANET Steering Committee, Nura Ahmad Muhammad, said the landmark decision marks a significant step towards empowering local governments, thereby enhancing security, employment, education, peace, and overall community development.
The statement further outlined the importance of LGA autonomy, which it described as crucial for the effective functioning and development of communities.
“By granting LGAs the power to govern themselves independently, the ruling facilitates; Improved Security because the empowered LGAs can better address security challenges by implementing localized strategies and collaborating with community stakeholders.
“It would enhance employment opportunities, the autonomous LGAs can create and manage employment programs tailored to the specific needs of their communities, reducing unemployment rates and stimulating local economies.
“Local control over education allows for the development and implementation of programs that cater directly to the educational needs of the community, improving access and quality of education,” he said.
The secretary added that the empowered local governments can foster a sense of ownership and participation among citizens, promoting peace and stability through inclusive governance.
“With the authority to make decisions and allocate resources, LGAs can pursue sustainable development initiatives that address the unique challenges and opportunities within their jurisdictions.”
The KANET, also called on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), government agencies, media, communities and other stakeholders to support the journey towards effective LGA autonomy.
The statement proposed, “training and capacity building programmes for LGA officials to enhance their governance and administrative capabilities. Establish robust mechanisms for tracking and evaluating the performance of LGA programs to ensure transparency and accountability.
“Offer technical support to LGAs in areas such as project management, financial planning, and community engagement.
“Ensure the full operational capacity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to monitor and enforce compliance by state governors, LGAs, and contractors.
“And empower communities with access to credible and professional whistleblowing policies, guidelines and protection as well as evidence-based actions.”
The KANET advocated that to ensure effective functioning of LGAs and guaranteed that they can function effectively and drive community-centred development. “Adequate and timely allocation of resources, funding, items, materials etc, to the LGAs to enable them execute their mandates efficiently.
“Encouraging active participation of community members in decision-making processes to ensure that development initiatives reflect the needs and aspirations of the people.
“Prioritising the development of critical infrastructure, including roads, healthcare facilities, and schools, to improve the quality of life for residents.
“And promoting a culture of transparency and accountability within LGAs to build public trust and ensure the responsible use of resources with open governance functioning.”
Nura Muhammad added that the Supreme Court’s affirmation of LGAs autonomy is a monumental victory for grassroots governance in Nigeria.
Adding that, “KANET and its innovative members remains committed to supporting this transformative journey and calls on all stakeholders to join hands in fostering a thriving, secure, and prosperous future for our communities.”
