The House of Representatives Committee on Delegated Legislation has said there is a need for stronger collaboration between all tiers of government to ensure that local government councils in Nigeria are not only empowered but also made effective and accountable to the people they serve.
Chairman of the Committee, Richard Bamisile (APC, Ekiti), said this on Wednesday during a national retreat and interactive workshop organised by the committee in partnership with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
The retreat, which had as its themes “Enhancing the Capacity of Local Government Councils and “Review of the Vertical Revenue Formula,” with active participation of the 774 local government councils, sought to reinforce grassroots governance and bring government closer to the people.
In his welcome address, Mr Bamisile underscored the importance of harmonisation between federal, state, and local governments in shaping Nigeria’s legislative and governance landscape.
He explained that empowering local councils to legislate through impactful bylaws would be pivotal to improving accountability and delivering services at the grassroots.
He said. “Our first focus will be on the bylaw-making process. We will delve into strategies that empower local governments to create impactful bylaws that cater to the unique needs of their communities. This is pivotal not only for enhancing local governance but also for fostering accountability and enriching the lives of the citizens we serve.”
He noted that the review of the vertical revenue allocation formula, which remains a long-standing issue in Nigeria’s fiscal structure, would receive priority attention during the workshop.
Mr Bamisile further urged participants to approach the deliberations with “a commitment to excellence, integrity, and progress,” stressing that democracy could only thrive when institutions work collectively and communities feel the impact of government at the grassroots.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, who was represented by Agbodike Paschal (APC, Anambra), reminded participants of the central role local councils play in governance.
He stressed that the success of any administration depends on strengthening grassroots governments and ensuring effective enforcement of local laws.
The bylaws made by the local government council are very important to govern the people in their areas. But enforcement should be properly looked into. If you don’t educate the people, particularly the task force, people who enforce the laws, most of them will go astray,” he warned.
ALGON calls for fiscal empowerment
The National President of ALGON, Bello Lawal, aligned with the committee’s focus, stressing that the retreat offered an opportunity to redefine the fiscal relationship between local governments and the other tiers.
He described the call by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for a review of the revenue sharing formula as a chance for local councils to have a stronger voice in national fiscal planning.
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“ALGON will not relent until local governments are fairly empowered with the resources needed to meet the expectations of our people in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” he said.
Mr Lawal added that the expected outcomes of the retreat would strengthen intergovernmental relations, deepen legislative harmony, and expand the fiscal space for grassroots governance.
According to him, a fairer share of resources would translate to improved delivery of basic services, access to quality education, healthcare, and food security for millions of Nigerians.