An Unending Debate …Of LG Autonomy, Graft

Once again, the debate over whether or not local governments in Nigeria should be autonomous is in the air. And never tired of such contributions, Nigerians have already been conscripted into two unequal groups.
One group is peopled by the 36 state governors, now united by the misfortune of a likely autonomy to local governments and the second, a large majority of others who believe that such autonomy would hasten rural transformation and bring development near the people.
Both divides have their arguments. The governors insist that in every federation, the federating units are the states and not local government areas. Granting such autonomy to LGs therefore, will amount to willfully undermining the spirit of the constitution.
Those who support the governors’ position point to the high level of financial recklessness and corruption among operators of the LG system. They aver that some local government executives run the third tier of government as their personal estates and divert public funds for individual uses, at the expense of the development of the rural areas.
This school of thought insists that such autonomy would be an additional licence for LG chairmen to shortchange the system as they would become untouchables. Instead, they insist, local governments should remain under the supervision of states, who should jointly run their monthly federal allocations. That way, they believe, LG chairmen will be a little bit civil in administering public funds.
But other Nigerians disagree. They insist that the laws that set up local government administration also empowers elected councilors to serve as check against the possible excesses of LG chief executives, just as members of the State Assemblies are expected to do.
Therefore, they argue, accusation of financial recklessness without constitutional control does not hold water, as some councils have at various times, successfully called to order, their LG chief executives and even impeached some.
They insist that such autonomy, will only allow direct funding of LGs and prevent tampering by state governors who are roundly accused of reckless deduction of LG allocations. Such practices, sometimes result in zero-allocation to LGs and make payment of staff salaries impossible, not to mention initiating projects and programme that should address, in a lasting manner, the fluctuating fortunes of the rural poor.
Apart from the Rivers State Government under Gov. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, which took-over from the LGs, payment of primary school teachers, an LG responsibility, other states, in addition to frivolous deductions still leave LGs the burden of teachers’ salary payment.
This is why proponents of the LG autonomy argue that direct federal  funding would in no way offend the spirit of the federation Nigeria operates. The sates are still the federating units, but the LGs as special development units who require little or no interference to properly address development at the rural level.
It is indeed their contention that as the closest government to the people, LGs are depended upon to make real meaning out of governance. To achieve that purpose, the third tier of government must annually make projections and implement such budgets in a businesslike manner, and not be subjected to the uncertainties of questionable direct deductions by states.
What this group is actually asking for is the removal of the constitutional provision that empowers State Assemblies to impeach local government chief executives, just as the National Assembly has no hand in the impeachment of any state governors. Another is the direct allocation of resources from the federation account, as already approved by the constitution and not through a joint account.
Such is the nature of the debate. With each group ready to wield its power to either truncate the move or actualise it. Governors have enormous influence over State Assemblies who are key to the possible truncation of the move to grant LGs autonomy, and may use it. The National Union of Local Government Employees, on the other hand is a union with the power of strike. And if the imperative of esprit de corps is anything to go by, a NULGE strike could eventually get sympathy of other unions or even the Nigeria Labour Congress.
This is the nature of the battle now staring the nation in the face, since the National Assembly, adopted the granting of LG autonomy and sending same to the 36 States Assemblies for their concurrence. With two thirds of such Assemblies’ concurrence, LGs will enjoy the needed autonomy, and without it, status quo ante.
Barely a week after the Senate’s action, there are clear signals that LG autonomy, dependent on States Assemblies endorsement may well be a mirage.
Many fear that with the tremendous influence, others call it cordial working arrangement, Governors enjoy with the various State Assemblies, such attempt to amend the constitution and grant LG autonomy is a foregone failure, an effort in futility.
Where does that leave NULGE and by extension organised Labour? Another round of strikes with grave consequences on the fragile economy?
But in what way does autonomy to local government areas hurt the states? If the states did not want local governments’ existence in the first place, why were monthly appropriations allowed to be made to them? With such allocations constitutionally granted, is it germaine for such funds to be superintended over by another tier of government?
Every nation fashions its own laws based on its peculiar circumstances and needs. Nigeria is reputed as home to the most populated rural poor in the world which was why urgent steps were needed to bring development to the rural areas, via the local government administration.
Under the arrangement, the third tier is depended upon to provide basic services like primary schools, markets, link roads, health centres among others. The LGs are also depended upon to embark on poverty alleviation programmes to check the debilitating rural poverty.
These cannot be achieved if federal allocations are subjected to the whims of the states. As elected representatives of the people, LG chairmen should be empowered to function as such. Where they err, as roundly feared, the legislative arm of the councils should have the power to check such excesses. This is how it is done at the state level, where, State Assemblies impeach erring state governors and at the national level, the National Assembly serves as a check on the likely excesses of a President.
This is also why I do not see how local government autonomy will hurt states. Afterall, the LGs know that they are part of the state and by protocol under the supervision of the States’ Chief Executives and as such, be called to order when they err.
Speaking frankly, there are LGs in the country that have really made true meaning of governance as third tier operators. The generalisation that all LGs are reckless is wrong and can be extended to states, if properly checked.
My Agony is that the fate of the LGs in this matter, rests in the hands of the states, which Assemblies have the final say. It is a no-win situation.

David Mark and Amaechi