Kogi  Assembly Passes Local Govt Autonomy Bill

The Kogi State House of Assembly has passed the Local Government Autonomy bill into law.
The Assembly passed the bill at Wednesday’s plenary following its consideration to alter the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended which seeks to abolish the Joint Account of the State and Local Governments.
The bill also seeks to create different accounts for local governments where they are expected to receive their allocation from the federation’s account.
The lawmakers, in their various contributions, unanimously threw their support behind the bill, describing it as timely.
The Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Alfa Rabiu, who presided over Wednesday’s sitting noted that the bill would enhance democracy and also provide financial independence at the local government level.
The member representing Olamaboro Constituency, Anthony Ujah, in his contributions to the bill, explained that the bill was long overdue, saying it will reduce financial pressure on the state governments.
Another member representing Adavi, Ibrahim Usman, stated that the bill would enhance development at the grassroots.
His Lokoja I counterpart, Umar Tenimu, noted that local governments had not been able to meet their responsibilities due to the Joint Account.
In a swift reaction to the passage of the bill, President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Kogi State chapter, Tade Adeyemi, applauded the lawmakers for the passage of the bill, saying the bill would ensure security and development in the council areas.
He urged other State Assemblies to ensure the passage of the bill so as to get the required two third majority needed to pass the bill by the National Assembly.