Bill To Give More Powers, Responsibilities to LGs Passes Second Reading

A bill for an Act to amend the provision of the constitution to
give more power and responsibilities to the local government
authorities has passed second reading in the House of
Representatives.

The bill, which was sponsored by Hon. Oberuakpefe Afe, sought to
give the local councils a legal plank to base their security roles
as they collaborate with federal law enforcement agencies.

Leading the debate on the bill at the plenary yesterday, Afe
said constitutional democracy is touted and acknowledged as the
best form of government because the window available to the
legislature is to continually working on its provisions to meet the
changing needs of the time, hence, every constitutional democracy
is still witnessing amendments irrespective of the age.

The lawmaker said it has been acknowledged in many public fora
that the responsibility given to local government councils under
the 5th Schedule is restrictive and nebulous in tenor, such that
elected officers in the councils are not challenged enough to carry
out projects for the benefit of residents of their local
councils.

Afe said: “I respectfully submit that a template that permits
flexibility in the system of local government is preferred to a
regimented system dictated by the centre which is difficult to
adjust to changing needs and circumstances.”

He added that Section 7(5) of the bill sought to concede some
responsibilities to local councils in the area of environmental
challenge and development to make local government administration
more impactful.

Afe noted that Section 3(6) of the bill sought to give more
latitude to state legislatures to determine the number and size of
local governments in line with the economic variables and other
relevant considerations that would make the local government
structure more relevant to the day-to-day administration of cities
and towns that fall within their spheres of influence.

The lawmaker argued that “it shouldn’t be lost on us that sooner
than later, with the global technological breakthroughs making
fossil fuels less important in the global market, agricultural
produce would be the main revenue earner of the country.”

Afe said the earlier this reality is captured in the
administrative architecture of the country, the easier the country
would cope with the burden of administrative costs.

A bill for an Act to amend the provision of the constitution to
give more power and responsibilities to the local government
authorities has passed second reading in the House of
Representatives.

The bill, which was sponsored by Hon. Oberuakpefe Afe, sought to
give the local councils a legal plank to base their security roles
as they collaborate with federal law enforcement agencies.

Leading the debate on the bill at the plenary yesterday, Afe
said constitutional democracy is touted and acknowledged as the
best form of government because the window available to the
legislature is to continually working on its provisions to meet the
changing needs of the time, hence, every constitutional democracy
is still witnessing amendments irrespective of the age.

The lawmaker said it has been acknowledged in many public fora
that the responsibility given to local government councils under
the 5th Schedule is restrictive and nebulous in tenor, such that
elected officers in the councils are not challenged enough to carry
out projects for the benefit of residents of their local
councils.

Afe said: “I respectfully submit that a template that permits
flexibility in the system of local government is preferred to a
regimented system dictated by the centre which is difficult to
adjust to changing needs and circumstances.”

He added that Section 7(5) of the bill sought to concede some
responsibilities to local councils in the area of environmental
challenge and development to make local government administration
more impactful.

Afe noted that Section 3(6) of the bill sought to give more
latitude to state legislatures to determine the number and size of
local governments in line with the economic variables and other
relevant considerations that would make the local government
structure more relevant to the day-to-day administration of cities
and towns that fall within their spheres of influence.

The lawmaker argued that “it shouldn’t be lost on us that sooner
than later, with the global technological breakthroughs making
fossil fuels less important in the global market, agricultural
produce would be the main revenue earner of the country.”

Afe said the earlier this reality is captured in the
administrative architecture of the country, the easier the country
would cope with the burden of administrative costs.