The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has expressed worry over states frustrating the passage of autonomy bill targeted at liberating the third tier of government.
The President of NULGE, Anambra State chapter, Chikwelu Adigwe, who stated this, yesterday, in Awka during a press briefing, noted that Lagos and Ekiti states were, particularly, in opposition to the bill. Adigwe, therefore, urged members to vote the leadership of these states out at the forthcoming general elections.
He regretted that only 10 states had passed the bill, whereas the bill required minimum of 24 states to receive assent. He warned that NULGE is not happy with Lagos, Ekiti and other states still contemplating on the bill.
Adigwe, however, appreciated states that have passed the bill, including Abia, Kogi, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Enugu, Edo, Ogun, Osun and Anambra. He commended the executive and legislative leaderships of these states for their support.
“We want to appeal to states of assemblies, traditional rulers and, indeed, Nigerians to urge other states yet to join in the league of passing local council autonomy bill to follow suit for the liberation of the third tier of government.
“Most problems we have in Nigeria, including insecurity and unemployment, have their origin from local council administration, partly because governors view the local council as their personal enterprises.
“They not only end up crippling the system, but make it redundant and ineffective, thereby creating hardship for workers.
Regrettably, the same governors, who oppose autonomy while on seat, will start championing same once they find themselves at the National Assembly,” he said.
While appealing to members in those states to vote out government in those states in the coming elections, he urged all to send them the message with their votes.
He added: “This autonomy battle is not meant for workers alone to champion. Let the lawmakers be true representatives of the people and not themselves so we can have the 24 states required for the legal backing.”
