Why LGAs Should Be Revolutionised

The third tier system of government otherwise known as the local government system was reformed in 1976 from what it was originally called (NA) Native Authority.

 There are 774 local government councils in the country and many more have been illegally created in some states like Lagos and Bayelsa just to mention a few in the name of even development of society.

 Initially, the reasons for their establishment were to bring the government nearer to the people and relieving the central government of the burden of over-centralisation and providing and catering of the needs of the people at the third tier of governance.

 Local governments also provide recreational facilities, build and maintain schools, health centres, maternity homes, markets and transportation.

 The local government system has simplified the administration of justice at the local levels and because of this, they build and maintain customary courts where cases on marriages, divorce and inheritance are settled on local traditions.

 In order to function effectively and efficiently as corporate entities by an Act of Parliament establishing it, they are empowered to collect rates, which is one of its main source of revenue.

 Other sources of revenue are tolls from motorparks, slaughter houses, markets, marriages and grants from states and central governments which could be invested in lucrative ventures.

 Conversely, local governments have blantantly refused to adhere to the laid down principles of the Act establishing them probably due to the huge sums of statutory allocations given to them by the government.

 Some local governments have become inefficient because of corruption/ embezzlement and fraud is rampant. 

 Contracts are inflated and at times awarded to incompetent people and there is no adequate arrangement for accountability.

 This non-challant attitude of councils not to adhere to the principles which established them calls for the need for their being checked.

 Based on the fact that the local government councils are established by an Act of Parliament they are subject to checks and consequent disciplinary actions.

 That the third tier system of government established to bring government closer to the people has failed woefully is not news but what is news is evidence of the degree of recklessness and corruption in the system beyond allegations.

 Recently, the Rivers State House of Assembly dissolved the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government council to sustain the corporate existence of the state and local government.

 Also, the Assembly ordered the sacking of the Andoni local government chairman and suspension of his Okrika local government colleague over financial misconduct and non-compliance with financial regulations and blantantly refusing to give account of the council’s budget for year 2009.

 While the chairman of Ikwerre local government was admonished for building a swimming pool in the council rather than invest in a project like fish farm which would have been more beneficial to the people of the area.

 This shows that the system is being run by self-centered people to whom the needs of the people are of no consequence.

 This is why the Rivers State House of Assembly must be commended for its action on Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Andoni and Okrika local governments but beyond these men, it must beam its light on all and condemn acts that might undermine an unbiased discharge of this function like allowing the chairmen to build structures in their names.

 There should be constant and regular checks of the activities of the local government councils in line with the Act that established them.

 Stringent measures or actions to be taken against such defaulters should be done when the culprits are still in office and not when they have gone out of office.

 By so doing, defaulting councils/officials will learn lessons which can prevent future occurrences to sanitise the local government system towards improvement and development of the grassroots.

  Ogundu, resides in Port Harcourt.