Hon. Aminu Muazu Maifata, National Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON).
By DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia –
The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has thrown its weight behind the implementation of autonomy for local governments in the country as enshrined in the constitution.
Similarly, ALGON, has advocated a 4 years unified tenure for elected Local Government (LG) officials in the country to ensure good governance.
National President of ALGON
Alhaji Aminu Muazu-Maifata, added his voice to the clarion calls in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Recall that the AGF recently filed a suit at the Supreme Court against the 36 state governors, seeking full autonomy for local government councils as the third tier of government in the country, where the Apex reserved judgement.
Maifata, opined that granting full autonomy to local governments in the country will promote good governance, transparency and accountability.
According to him, granting full autonomy to LGCs will also reduce poverty, curb rural-urban migration, deliver more democratic benefits and improving good governance at that level of government.
He emphasised that granting full autonomy to LGCs, by allowing them to recruit, manage staff, raise finances, make by-laws and discharge their functions without State government interference, will ensure full bureaucratic autonomy.
He said ALGON fully supports the ongoing suit instituted by the Federal Government asking for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them.
Meanwhile, the ALGON National President, said that the constitution need to be amended to make the tenure of the office of LGA officials uniform across the country for smooth administration.
He expressed worry that the tenure of the LG officials in some states is even one year or two years and wondered how they would deliver good governance within such a short period.
“The tenure of LGA officials should be made four years to enable us deliver on our campaign promises to the electorates,” he said.
