Ex-LGA chairmen commend Sanwo-Olu for supporting local government autonomy

The Association of Ex-Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ASELGON) has commended Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, for supporting LGA autonomy in Nigeria.

The association noted that Lagos has become a model example of how local government administration can bring governance and development close to the people.

Speaking during the 2024 ASELGON annual retreat/award held on Wednesday in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu, represented by Bolaji Robert, commissioner for local governments and chieftaincy affairs, also commended the efforts of the association towards strengthening local government administration and empowering communities to drive sustainable development in the counctry.

The governor said the theme of the retreat, “Local Government Autonomy, Bringing Government and Economic Development Close to the People: A case Study of Lagos State”, is particularly relevant to Lagos state administration’s vision for grassroots development.

“We believe that local government autonomy is essential for bringing government and economic development closer to the good people of our dear state. By devolving power and resources to the third-tier of government in Nigeria, we can unlock the potential of our various local governments and create opportunities for sustainable development,” he said.

“From the innovative solutions we have provided to traffic management and waste disposal, to the investments in education and healthcare in tandem with the THEMES PLUS Agenda of the State Government, Lagos state has demonstrated the impact that effective local governance can have on the lives of citizens.”

Sanwo-Olu urged the delegates to explore the lessons from Lagos state and other successful examples of local government autonomy by sharing their experiences and insights.

Albert Asipa, national president of ASELGON, appreciated Sanwo-Olu for aligning with the association, noting that LGA autonomy will drive grassroots development and curtail the insecurity bedeviling every state.

“The challenges of insecurity will be eradicated as every local government will have the financial capability to engage security personnel to fight the menace. The association has over 5,000 members across the 774 LG across Nigeria,” Asipa said.

Abiodun Mafe, vice-president of ASELGON, reiterated the need to sensitise Nigerians about the autonomy of the local government, noting that Lagos state benefited immensely from council autonomy for the past 20 years.

He said the retreat is to educate other states on how to implement the autonomy to gain immensely from it.

“We are saying it boldly to states that are contesting the local government autonomy that, we have practiced it in Lagos state and we are successful. If you go around the state, you will see numerous infrastructural developments achieved through local government autonomy,” Mafe said.

“We invite all our contemporaries from other 36 states to come and learn what we have been able to exhibit. Local government laws are well interpreted and whoever misinterpreted is doing that out of their own selfish interests.

“The supreme court’s judgment is very clear; those governors having issues of implementation are the ones who are dipping their hands into the local governments’ funds. There is no ambiguity about that judgment.”

Kawal Bayewu, chairman organising committee and chairman of Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, said the state is enjoying autonomy and that is why there is growth and development at the grassroots.

“The government of the grassroots is been felt in Lagos state and that is why we are imploring our colleagues in all other states to come around, make Lagos a case study, so that when they get back to their various states, they can let the people know what Lagos is enjoying,” Bayewu said.

“When people see development, economic growth, there will be fewer problems and the community will be secured. They will be the first line of security and guard their environment. That is the more reason we have brought members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to key into the programme.”