Lagos holds public hearing on bill seeking to unify LG laws

The Lagos state house of assembly has organised a public hearing on a bill seeking to unify existing laws on LG administration in the state.

The proposed legislation is titled “Bill for a law to provide for the local government’s system, establishment, and administration and to consolidate all laws on local government administration and connected purposes”.

Speaking at the hearing, Mudashiru Obasa, the speaker, represented by Mojisola Meranda, his deputy, noted that the bill is a key step towards improving accountability within the state.

“This bill has passed the preliminary stages, and the house is hereby subjecting it to public appraisal in our transparent convention,” he said.

“At this stage, we gather public observations and thoughts to reflect on them in the next stage of the bill.”

Obasa added that the bill, once passed, would allow LGs to function optimally, adhering to the rule of law and separation of powers.

“The bill clearly outlines the functions of the chairman, vice-chairman, legislative council, and other local government functionaries,” he added.

“It also emphasises the creation of 37 area administrative councils, in addition to the original 20 local governments listed.

“These councils would be headed by area administrative secretaries, appointed with House approval.”

The bill, which outlines the structure of local governance, states that Lagos will operate through democratically elected LGs.

According to the bill, Lagos will recognise 20 LGAs as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.

It follows a July 11 supreme court ruling that granted financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 LGAs.

The ruling also stipulated that only democratically elected councils can access federal funds.

“As from the commencement of this law, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) shall conduct elections into the twenty (20) local government councils as recognised by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered),” the bill stated.

It also provides for each council to have its headquarters in designated locations while assuming the duties of the former LCDAs.

The councils will be funded by the LGs under which they operate and will have the power to delegate functions to their administrative bodies.

The bill grants the governor the authority to suspend any chairman, vice-chairman, or political appointee, with reinstatement possible after notifying the assembly.

If passed into law, the bill would repeal the Local Government Administration Law of 2015 and its 2016 amendment.