The Federal Government has taken a significant step toward strengthening grassroots governance by inaugurating a 10-man Inter-Ministerial Committee to enforce the Supreme Court's judgment on local government autonomy. This landmark judgment, delivered on July 11, 2024, grants financial independence to Local Governments in Nigeria, a move poised to reshape the dynamics of governance at the grassroots level.
Senator George Akume, CON, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), officially inaugurated the committee, emphasizing the importance of this development in the nation's democratic evolution. The committee's mandate is to ensure the implementation of this ruling, safeguarding the financial autonomy of Local Governments, which has long been a subject of intense debate.
The composition of the committee underscores the seriousness with which the government approaches this issue. The SGF himself serves as the chairman, with members including key figures such as the Honorable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Honorable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and the Accountant General of the Federation. Also on the committee are the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, and representatives of both state governors and local governments.
This committee is tasked with ensuring that the Supreme Court's judgment is fully implemented, bringing an end to the financial control previously exerted by state governments over local councils. The ruling is expected to empower local governments, enhancing their capacity to deliver essential services directly to the people.
As the committee begins its work, all eyes will be on how effectively it can navigate the complexities of enforcing this judgment across the nation's diverse and politically intricate landscape. The success of this initiative will be pivotal in determining the future of local governance in Nigeria, potentially setting a precedent for broader fiscal autonomy across other tiers of government.
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