This newspaper believes that this unholy bazaar perpetrated nationwide in the local governments must stop in the interest of majority of Nigerians under the jurisdiction of the councils
The need to make the Local Governments, the third tier of government in Nigeria more accountable and responsive to the needs of the people in the use of the statutory revenue accruing to them, has again come under focus. Delivering the 44th Convocation Lecture of the University of Nigeria Nsukka recently, the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka lamented that the 744 local government councils in the country have consistently mismanaged the estimated N1.5 trn, being the 20.60 percent of federal revenue statutorily allocated to them from the Federation Account. Mr. Chidoka blamed this anomaly on corruption perpetrated by the leaders of these local councils, which deny their people the crucial services these councils were created by law to render.
Besides, the federal allocation, the law directs all state governments to allocate 10 percent of their revenue to the local governments. Add these to the internally generated revenue of the councils and you are talking about a colossal sum that if judiciously utilized should have sufficed to give a better life to about 70 percent of Nigerians at the grassroots who are denied the most basic amenities and services the councils ought to provide.
The Fourth Schedule, Section 7 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution lists the functions of the local government councils to include construction and maintenance of roads, street lightings, drains, parks, gardens, open spaces, provision and maintenance of public conveniences, sewage and refuse disposal. Other functions include, establishment, regulation and maintenance of slaughter houses, markets, motor parks and public conveniences, naming of roads, streets and numbering of houses. They are also expected to collaborate with the state governments to provide and maintain health centres, primary schools, adult and vocational education institutions. But it is sad to observe that most of the chairmen and councilors running the local government councils seem not to appreciate their responsibilities to the people. Many of them lack the education, vision, experience and passion to render service to the people but are out for self-aggrandizement. With their retinue of political appointees, the council chairmen earn fabulous emoluments which constitute a burden on recurrent budget with little left for projects that are beneficial to the people. This newspaper believes that this unholy bazaar perpetrated nationwide in the local government level must stop in the interest of majority of Nigerians under the jurisdiction of the councils.
Perhaps the citizens should begin to take interest in the affairs of the third tier of government and ensure that they elect only people of proven integrity and competence to pilot the affairs of the councils. Council officials and staff who embezzle funds or abuse their offices should be impeached or sacked and prosecuted.
