Obasa: Only constitutional amendment can make Lagos LCDAs have same status as LGAs

Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the Lagos house of assembly, says only a constitutional amendment can grant the 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) the same status as LGAs.

The LCDAs were created by President Bola Tinubu in 2003 when he was governor of Lagos state.

Last week, the Lagos house of assembly moved to replace the LCDAs with newly designated administrative areas.

NAN reports that Obasa spoke on Thursday during the second public hearing on the proposed LG administration bill.

The bill is titled “bill for a law to provide for the local governments’ system, establishment, and administration, and to consolidate all laws on local government administration.”.

Represented by Mojisola Meranda, his deputy, the speaker said the bill is a key step towards improving accountability in the state.

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

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 will be recalled that this House of Assembly in 2003 had enacted a law establishing 37 LCDAs,” Obasa said.

“However, until there is consequential constitutional amendment that will recognise the LCDAs as full-fledged local government, they will continue to be known as LCDAs.

“The LCDAs will perform any duty assigned by a law of the Lagos state house of assembly; and executive directives from the state government.”

Speaking on the proposed law, Obasa noted that the LGs oversee LCDAs and will appoint mayors for development areas.

The speaker said the bill provides for 20 LGs to fund LCDAs under them, and such appointments are subject to confirmation by the assembly.

He added that the bill aligns with the supreme court’s judgment granting autonomy to the 774 LG councils, which the house must comply with.

The speaker noted that sub-clause 3 of clause 3 provides for 20 LGAs to have designated LCDAs and headquarters, adding that it would ensure efficient and effective local government administration.

On his part, Okanlawon Sanni, chairman of the house committee on LG, said the bill provides a legal framework for effective grassroots service delivery, adding that it captures amendments for optimal local government administration.

Sanni added that the committee will consider all stakeholders’ suggestions and opinions from the public hearing on merit for the bill’s passage.