Tayo Busayo, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - In a significant step toward enhancing local governance in Nigeria, the Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with enforcing the Supreme Court judgment on financial autonomy for local governments. The Supreme Court delivered the landmark ruling on July 11, 2024, affirming the financial independence of local government councils across the country.
Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), led the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, emphasizing the committee's pivotal role in actualizing the court's decision. The newly formed committee comprises high-level officials and representatives from various sectors, aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of local government autonomy.
The committee which is chaired by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation has the following membership:
Hon. Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice; Hon. Minister of Budget & Economic Planning; Accountant General of the Federation; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance; Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission; Representative of State Governors and Representative of Local Governments.
The committee's mandate is to ensure that local governments receive full financial autonomy, thereby enabling them to operate independently of state government interference. This development is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader efforts to strengthen the implementation of constitutional provisions that recognize local governments as a crucial tier of government.
Senator Akume, speaking at the inauguration, highlighted the importance of the committee’s role in facilitating the autonomy of local governments. “This committee is tasked with translating the Supreme Court's decision into actionable measures that will empower local governments to function effectively and independently,” Akume said.
The formation of the committee reflects the administration’s commitment to reforming local governance structures and enhancing the capacity of local governments to manage their resources and affairs more effectively. By ensuring that local governments have control over their finances, the Federal Government aims to promote greater accountability and responsiveness in local governance.
The committee will work on implementing necessary measures to align financial practices with the court’s ruling and will address any obstacles to achieving full autonomy for local governments. Its actions are expected to bring significant changes in the way local governments operate, fostering improved service delivery and local development.
