Ayodele Olalere
The federal government has set up a 10-man committee to enforce the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments.
Members of the committee were inaugurated by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, in Abuja on Tuesday.
It is recalled that the Supreme Court, on July 11, 2024 delivered judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.
According to the Director, Information & Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, the committee is to be chaired by Akume.
Other members include Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Accountant General of the Federation; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria CBN; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance; Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission; representative of state governors; and, representative of local governments.
“The committee’s primary goal is to ensure that local governments are granted full autonomy, allowing them to function effectively without interference from state governments.
“This move is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to give appropriate implementation to the provisions of the Constitution, which recognizes local governments as the third tier of government”, the statement state