LG autonomy: FG inaugurates committee to enforce S/Court judgement
Omeiza Bilal
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to enforce the Supreme Court judgement granting financial autonomy to Local Governments.
The supreme court had in a landmark judgement delivered on 11th July, 2024, granted local governments in Nigeria financial autonomy. Before the ruling, state governors operated joint account that saw FAAC allocation to local government being paid into an account operated by their various states
The committee comprises the state and local government representatives have the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as Chairman. The members include Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, Minister of Budget & Economic Planning, Accountant General of the Federation, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Permanent Secretary (Federal Ministry of Finance), Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission, Representatives of State Governors, and Representative of Local Governments.
According to a statement issued by Segun Imohiosen, Director, Information & Public Relations at the SGF office, the primary goal of the committee is to ensure local governments are granted full autonomy, allowing them to function effectively without interference from state governments.
“This move is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, efforts to give appropriate implementation to the provisions of the Constitution, which recognizes local governments as the third tier of government, the statement reads,” the statement added.
