Date Published: 06/16/11
Reform Local Government system now by Jeff Nkwocha
Dear Editor,
Federal government has initiated a number of reforms to position the financial Institutions, the police, electoral system and Nigeria stock exchange for service delivery.Nigerians were taken aback to learn that several attempts to reposition LG system since 1999 had failed.
In one of his lectures with the theme, Reposition local Government administration to meet the challenges of vision 20-20-20, senator Ike Ekweremadu said,"It also logically follows that without prejudice to problems requiring policy interventions and political will, the local Governments need constitution review interventions to reposition them for challenges of good governance, sustainable development and vision 20-20-20.
In the same vein, the sun newspaper in its recent editorial page had highlighed the plight and the way forward for the third tier of government and I quote, "Local government administration and control remains one knotty problem in the present democratic dispensation. Since the restoration of democracy in the country 12 years ago, the Federal Government has oftentimes been at loggerheads with the state governments, particularly over the composition of local governments and the control of their funds. The disagreement between the Federal and state governments has its roots in how the councils are managed, especially with regard to their expenditure.
The major bone of contention is whether the management of the councils should be the responsibility of the states. The other issue is that the local government system has been so greatly undermined to the extent that it cannot effectively play its role as agent of development at the grassroots, in spite of huge monthly allocations from the Federation Account. Some overbearing state governors who withhold huge chunks of council funds undermine the local government system in the Nigeria.
Within the last couple of years, several attempts made to resolve the issue stretched to the Supreme Court. On more than three occasions in the last 12 years, the apex court delivered landmark judgments on issues affecting management of local governments. One of these judgments was on the tenure of local council leadership. Another held that the Federal Government had no right to withhold council funds. The 1999 Constitution, as recently amended, has created more problems, as many issues remain unresolved.
Everything considered, the future of local governments appears bleak if genuine review of the system is not carried out urgently. The present arrangement is no longer consistent with emerging democratic realities. Any meaningful review must be such that should be based on the peculiar exigencies of the states. It is in the best interest of fiscal federalism to allow the states arrange how best to run the councils.
With 12 unbroken years of democratic practice, nothing less than a strong and reasonably independent local government system that will drive development at the grassroots will do. The time has come for the political leadership of the country to work out a roadmap for the management of the local governments in line with their constitutionally assigned duties. The new arrangement must determine, clearly, such issues as the mode of election, tenure of elected members as well as income generation, accountability and financial control. The current situation in which local governments exist at the mercy of state governments is no longer acceptable. We, therefore, call for a review or outright abolition of the states/local governments joint account to allow for more autonomy for the councils, albeit with in-built mechanism to check financial recklessness by council leaders.
Democracy achieves its purpose when the interests of the people are well served. That noble objective will continue to be undermined if the local government system as presently constituted is not comprehensively reviewed.
If we are to promote rapid development in this country,effective changes has to be effected in our councils areas.
Jeff Nkwocha
LG Study Network
www.nigeria-local-government.blogspot.com
08030485016
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
State Governors and LG’s allocations
State Governors and LG’s allocations
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in its economic report for the third quarter of 2011 announced that the total receipts by the 774 LG councils from the Federation and VAT pool Accounts for the period of July, August and September was N493.77 billion. The question is does this money actually reach the local government councils. The answer is No. Media report indicated how allocations to LGAs’ were been high jacked by state governors, used for electioneering campaigns, shared among traditional rulers, political God-fathers, members of state assemblies or out rightly diverted to non-exiting projects.
The latest criminal fad now is state governors redistribute allocations to LG from the federation account and give less than N20 million to each council to pay salaries, and take care of their overhead costs.
In his memo to Nigerians, Hon. Felix Akhabue, National President of Association of local government of Nigeria ALGON, said, ‘A situation where allocations already made to the local governments by the Federation Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) are subjected to redistribution by the state government is a clear breach of the constitution. The question is can the federal government police funds disbursed to the state governments from federation account. The answer is a clear NO. Then where does the state derive the legal and moral backing to do the same to local governments. Statutory allocations to each tier of government should be sacrosanct; it is only by being so that you can hold that tier of government responsible and accountable’.
If we are to reposition our councils for effective services delivery to the people, eradicate poverty, provide infrastructure, the constitution should be amended to stop meddling with council finances by the states.
•Jeff Nkwocha
LG Study Network
Warri Delta state
www.nigeria-local-government.blogspot.com
08030485016
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in its economic report for the third quarter of 2011 announced that the total receipts by the 774 LG councils from the Federation and VAT pool Accounts for the period of July, August and September was N493.77 billion. The question is does this money actually reach the local government councils. The answer is No. Media report indicated how allocations to LGAs’ were been high jacked by state governors, used for electioneering campaigns, shared among traditional rulers, political God-fathers, members of state assemblies or out rightly diverted to non-exiting projects.
The latest criminal fad now is state governors redistribute allocations to LG from the federation account and give less than N20 million to each council to pay salaries, and take care of their overhead costs.
In his memo to Nigerians, Hon. Felix Akhabue, National President of Association of local government of Nigeria ALGON, said, ‘A situation where allocations already made to the local governments by the Federation Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) are subjected to redistribution by the state government is a clear breach of the constitution. The question is can the federal government police funds disbursed to the state governments from federation account. The answer is a clear NO. Then where does the state derive the legal and moral backing to do the same to local governments. Statutory allocations to each tier of government should be sacrosanct; it is only by being so that you can hold that tier of government responsible and accountable’.
If we are to reposition our councils for effective services delivery to the people, eradicate poverty, provide infrastructure, the constitution should be amended to stop meddling with council finances by the states.
•Jeff Nkwocha
LG Study Network
Warri Delta state
www.nigeria-local-government.blogspot.com
08030485016
Anambra LG poll: waiting for Godot?
Anambra LG poll: waiting for Godot?
SIR: The non conduct of local government election in Anambra State since 1999 has continued to attract wide condemnations not only in the statebut all over the country.
Governor Babaginda Aliyu of Niger State has urged Nigerians to exercise their constitutional rights by forcing out state governors subverting the nation’s constitution by using caretaker committee chairmen to run LG councils areas. He made a particular reference to Anambra state when he stated, “I am made to understand that only nine states have elected councils in the country and about 27 states are yet to conduct election for their local government councils in fact, there is a state that since 1999 has never had election.
Why has Anambra State chosen to work at cross purposes with other state governments when it comes to local government development in the country? No matter their claim over rural development, the essence of creating local government which is to bring governance closer to the people, to preserve heritage and common interests of the communities is already defeated in the state.
The Anambra State government led by Governor Peter Obi has perfected the art of postponing LG poll every year. On December 4 2010, LG election was postponed after nomination fees were collected from aspirants. This year again, the November/December date has become untenable after the chairmanship aspirants paid a whooping N1 million to pick nomination forms. Governor Peter Obi will be advancing all sorts of excuses why council election will not hold in the state ranging from lack of fund, insecurity, new voters card but forgetting that the same challenges were faced by other state governments that conduct LG polls in their states.
According to Professor Titus Eze, the former Anambra state Independent Electoral
Commission, ANSIEC chairman, “this atmosphere is intentionally created to enable them not to hold the council election ad-infinitum. Perhaps, the crux of the matter is huge monthly allocation meant to local government’.
Let Gov. Obi take a cue from Gov. Sullivan Chime of neighbouring Enugu State who has been consistently conducting LG poll without even appointing caretaker committee chairmen.
• Jeff Nkwocha,
Warri, Delta State.
SIR: The non conduct of local government election in Anambra State since 1999 has continued to attract wide condemnations not only in the statebut all over the country.
Governor Babaginda Aliyu of Niger State has urged Nigerians to exercise their constitutional rights by forcing out state governors subverting the nation’s constitution by using caretaker committee chairmen to run LG councils areas. He made a particular reference to Anambra state when he stated, “I am made to understand that only nine states have elected councils in the country and about 27 states are yet to conduct election for their local government councils in fact, there is a state that since 1999 has never had election.
Why has Anambra State chosen to work at cross purposes with other state governments when it comes to local government development in the country? No matter their claim over rural development, the essence of creating local government which is to bring governance closer to the people, to preserve heritage and common interests of the communities is already defeated in the state.
The Anambra State government led by Governor Peter Obi has perfected the art of postponing LG poll every year. On December 4 2010, LG election was postponed after nomination fees were collected from aspirants. This year again, the November/December date has become untenable after the chairmanship aspirants paid a whooping N1 million to pick nomination forms. Governor Peter Obi will be advancing all sorts of excuses why council election will not hold in the state ranging from lack of fund, insecurity, new voters card but forgetting that the same challenges were faced by other state governments that conduct LG polls in their states.
According to Professor Titus Eze, the former Anambra state Independent Electoral
Commission, ANSIEC chairman, “this atmosphere is intentionally created to enable them not to hold the council election ad-infinitum. Perhaps, the crux of the matter is huge monthly allocation meant to local government’.
Let Gov. Obi take a cue from Gov. Sullivan Chime of neighbouring Enugu State who has been consistently conducting LG poll without even appointing caretaker committee chairmen.
• Jeff Nkwocha,
Warri, Delta State.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Halt mass sack of LG Chairmen
Halt Mass Sack Of LG Chairmen
The Constitution of Nigeria states in Section 7(1): “The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed and, accordingly, the government of every state shall ensure their existence.”
For years, this section has been observed largely in the breach, otherwise how we can reconcile the fact that Anambra State, for example, is yet to conduct LG elections since 1999?
Also, in Bauchi State, the entire 20 LG chairmen were suspended for eight months for an offence that indicted none of them.
In Owerri, similarly, the Court of Appeal has ordered the Abia State Government to reinstate the 17 sacked LG chairmen because they were yet to complete their tenure.
In Kaduna State, the state House of Assembly is set to replace the 17 LG bosses with Sole Administrators, even before the expiration of their tenure in March next year.
The political intrigues in Benue State, coupled with the so-called LG reform, had not only swept 12 LG chairmen out of office but also landed them in the EFCC’s net.
Today, there are no worthy examples of local government councils across the land, even as Governors who have sworn to uphold the Constitution violate section 7 (1) among others, with embarrassing ease.
The tier of government at the grassroots needs to be rescued from extinction. A situation where elected LG chairmen can be sacked by the trio of state governors, state assemblies and the legislative arm of the council areas can no longer be acceptable to Nigerians.
•Jeff Nkwocha
LG Study Network
08030485016
The Constitution of Nigeria states in Section 7(1): “The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed and, accordingly, the government of every state shall ensure their existence.”
For years, this section has been observed largely in the breach, otherwise how we can reconcile the fact that Anambra State, for example, is yet to conduct LG elections since 1999?
Also, in Bauchi State, the entire 20 LG chairmen were suspended for eight months for an offence that indicted none of them.
In Owerri, similarly, the Court of Appeal has ordered the Abia State Government to reinstate the 17 sacked LG chairmen because they were yet to complete their tenure.
In Kaduna State, the state House of Assembly is set to replace the 17 LG bosses with Sole Administrators, even before the expiration of their tenure in March next year.
The political intrigues in Benue State, coupled with the so-called LG reform, had not only swept 12 LG chairmen out of office but also landed them in the EFCC’s net.
Today, there are no worthy examples of local government councils across the land, even as Governors who have sworn to uphold the Constitution violate section 7 (1) among others, with embarrassing ease.
The tier of government at the grassroots needs to be rescued from extinction. A situation where elected LG chairmen can be sacked by the trio of state governors, state assemblies and the legislative arm of the council areas can no longer be acceptable to Nigerians.
•Jeff Nkwocha
LG Study Network
08030485016
Monday, May 3, 2010
Impeachment of Patani LG chairman in bad fate
Dear Editor,
Impeachment of Patani LG chairman in bad fate
The impeachment of the only female LG chairman in Delta State, Mrs. Josephine Abeki, by the legislative arm of the council was in bad fate. According to the leader of the Legislative council, Mr. AKpor Ebimobowei, the chairman was removed because of her failure to render statement of income, expenditure and annual report to the legislative arm for it to consider in order to ensure accountability and enforce performance ethics.
Mr. Ebimobowei and his co-travelers could only tell this to the marines, they have other reasons other than what they want the world to believed .Right from day one, they were hell-bent to impeach Hon Josephine Abeki.
It is on record that a prominent Nigerian and the President of Ijaw youth council worldwide ( IYC), Dr. Chris Ekiyor had earlier cautioned Patani LG councilors to put an end to their protracted power struggle. Dr. Ekiyor said “the councilors must follow due process in all their demands, they should rise above selfish claims and legislate for the good of the citizens they represent. He added that, “they should respect constituted Authority especially the LG chairman.”
The question now is, how would the councilors selfish demand corroborate with failure of the LG Boss to render income and expenditure account as alleged by the councilors.
We the members of LG study network are calling on the Delta state House of Assembly to investigate the alleged offences of Mrs. Abeki. We have seen cases where an elected LG chairman was removed from office for the simple reason that he fail to approve large sum s of money as Christmas bonus to the councilors.
Punishment for any LG chairman should be in consonance with the law and not at the whim of the members of the legislative arm of the council.
Jeff Nkwocha
LG Study Network
www.nigeria-local-government.blogspot.com
08030485016
Dissolution of LGAs
Dear EDITOR
The House of Representatives reportedly ‘ordered’ the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, to provide adequate protection for the 16 local government councils’ chairmen sacked by Ekiti State Gov. Kayode Fayemi to return to their offices. The Reps further ‘mandated’ the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Finance Minister to start withholding – “with immediate effect” – funds designated for both Edo and Ekiti states – “and any other state that may toe a similar line” – pending when the governors reverse their decisions to lock-out the chairmen from their offices.
That was how the house of representative reacted to the unconstitutional dissolution of council Areas in Edo and Ekiti state.
It will be recalled that the court of Appeal sitting in Owerri had declared as illegal the dissolution of '2004 LG Regime' by Abia State Government. The judgement stated in clear terms that the elected LG Chairmen and chancillors had not lapsed their tenure in office. The court verdict was greeted with jubilations across the state but little did the people know that a bad precedence had been set in motion by the state Government.
Today, Ondo,Oyo, Edo, Kebbi and Ekiti states have jumped into the bandwagon.
In Ekiti state, Gov. Kayode Fayemi dissolved the 16 LG councils without recourse to the house of Assembly.
According to Chief Bola Olu – Ojo, the state Chairman of PDP, “The governor does not have any constitutional backing in dissolving councils that were legally constituted neither does he have moral and constitutional justification in doing so without recourse to the state House of Assembly.
“’The councils, as it is presently constituted, can not be dissolved without the approval of the two-third members of the state House of Assembly who are presently on official trip to Germany. So, where does he derive the power?”
Olu-Ojo pointed out that it was very sad and unfortunate that Fayemi who used to claim that he is an apostle of rule of law and a human rights crusader has now turned against the law flagrantly without minding the consequences.
He wondered why the mandate given to the 16 local government chairmen and 177 councillors by the people of Ekiti State could just be withdrawn by somebody who swore to defend the country’s constitution.
The party chairman warned Fayemi against actions that could throw Ekiti State into chaos, adding that the party will not accept any illegality and will mobilise against it.
In the same vein, Gov Saidu Dakingasi of Kebbi State did not only dissolve the 21 LG council in the state mid way into their tenure but also defiled court ruling ordering their reinstatement .
It look the Federal Govt. intervention to reinstate the sacked LG chairmen in Ondo state in 2009 while Gov. Adebayo Alao Akala of Oyo State dissolved the council Areas in Oyo state the same day he was inaugurated in may 29 ,2007.
We the members of Local Govt. Study Network are calling on the National Assembly to commence a review of the laws dealing with local government
administration in the nation to see how real autonomy can be granted the third tier of government
Dissolution of Local Govt. Councils midway into their tenure is tantamount to civilian coup d'etat.
Jeff Nkwocha
LG Study Network
www.nigeria-local-government.blogspot.com
08030485016
The House of Representatives reportedly ‘ordered’ the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, to provide adequate protection for the 16 local government councils’ chairmen sacked by Ekiti State Gov. Kayode Fayemi to return to their offices. The Reps further ‘mandated’ the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Finance Minister to start withholding – “with immediate effect” – funds designated for both Edo and Ekiti states – “and any other state that may toe a similar line” – pending when the governors reverse their decisions to lock-out the chairmen from their offices.
That was how the house of representative reacted to the unconstitutional dissolution of council Areas in Edo and Ekiti state.
It will be recalled that the court of Appeal sitting in Owerri had declared as illegal the dissolution of '2004 LG Regime' by Abia State Government. The judgement stated in clear terms that the elected LG Chairmen and chancillors had not lapsed their tenure in office. The court verdict was greeted with jubilations across the state but little did the people know that a bad precedence had been set in motion by the state Government.
Today, Ondo,Oyo, Edo, Kebbi and Ekiti states have jumped into the bandwagon.
In Ekiti state, Gov. Kayode Fayemi dissolved the 16 LG councils without recourse to the house of Assembly.
According to Chief Bola Olu – Ojo, the state Chairman of PDP, “The governor does not have any constitutional backing in dissolving councils that were legally constituted neither does he have moral and constitutional justification in doing so without recourse to the state House of Assembly.
“’The councils, as it is presently constituted, can not be dissolved without the approval of the two-third members of the state House of Assembly who are presently on official trip to Germany. So, where does he derive the power?”
Olu-Ojo pointed out that it was very sad and unfortunate that Fayemi who used to claim that he is an apostle of rule of law and a human rights crusader has now turned against the law flagrantly without minding the consequences.
He wondered why the mandate given to the 16 local government chairmen and 177 councillors by the people of Ekiti State could just be withdrawn by somebody who swore to defend the country’s constitution.
The party chairman warned Fayemi against actions that could throw Ekiti State into chaos, adding that the party will not accept any illegality and will mobilise against it.
In the same vein, Gov Saidu Dakingasi of Kebbi State did not only dissolve the 21 LG council in the state mid way into their tenure but also defiled court ruling ordering their reinstatement .
It look the Federal Govt. intervention to reinstate the sacked LG chairmen in Ondo state in 2009 while Gov. Adebayo Alao Akala of Oyo State dissolved the council Areas in Oyo state the same day he was inaugurated in may 29 ,2007.
We the members of Local Govt. Study Network are calling on the National Assembly to commence a review of the laws dealing with local government
administration in the nation to see how real autonomy can be granted the third tier of government
Dissolution of Local Govt. Councils midway into their tenure is tantamount to civilian coup d'etat.
Jeff Nkwocha
LG Study Network
www.nigeria-local-government.blogspot.com
08030485016
Friday, April 16, 2010
Hon. Ogieh and Isoko South LG Development.
Hon. Ogieh and Isoko South LG Development.
The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to stormy present.
The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with
the occasion. As our case is new, we must think anew, and act anew.
-------- Abraham Lincoln
In a recent news report, the Delta state Gov. Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has commended the chairman of Isoko South LG, Chief Askia Ogieh for various people oriented projects he has excuted in the council Area.
Uduaghan made this commendation at Oleh, Headquarters of Isoko South LG while commissioning a cassava processing factory built by the council boss. The cassava processing plant which he has successfully executed has the capacity of employing 100 persons with over 500 farm -hands supplying the plant.
Inspite of initial hiccup by the legislative arm of the council in the administration of the local Government, Hon Askia Ogieh has risen up to the occasion to develop Isoko south.
He has constructed a drainage system in Oleh motor park, built chairman”s Quarters, Legislative Building , Water Board Road in Emede with interlock tiles. Rehabilitation of Oleh Abattoir and construction of Toilets and water Boreholes for Ozaha primary school,Oleh and staff of the local Education Authority
.
Again what endeared Chief Ogieh who is also the chairman of Association of local Govt. of Nigeria (ALGON) Delta State , to his people was his passion to industrialise his council. His Industrial policy contrasted sharply with other LG Chairmen who think that what it take to develop their LG Area is to adorn their council secretariat with ornamental tress and paintings
.The concerned citizens of Isoko for instance noted that since the chairman resumed office, he had" pursued with vigor the execution of his electoral promise within the contexts of the three point agenda of the state Government.
In the same vein, Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan was quoted as saying that the cassava processing plant cum industralisation of isoko south is a challenge to the state government,
Finally, when critical indices for industrial Development in the third tier of Government is put on scale, Isoko South LG will surely occupy an enviable position.
Other council chairmen should borrow a leaf from Ogieh.
Jeff Nkwocha
LG Study Network
www.nigeria-local-government.blogspot.com
08030485016
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