LG Autonomy: Gov.Eno,Nasarawa Assembly Lauds Verdict As Fayose Differs
By Ekanem Asuquo
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state has applauded the Supreme Court verdict granting financial autonomy to local councils, describing the landmark ruling as welcome development and big relief to state governments.
Governor Eno stated this while fielding questions from journalists at the Victor Attah International Airport upon his return from to the state after series of official engagements
He, however, expressed concerns over its effective implementation of the autonomy and the capacity of local government officials to ensure accountability and handle their financial competency
According to him:"The Supreme Court verdict on local government autonomy remains sacrosanct, being the pronouncement of the final court in the land"
"This judgment will not impact the Akwa Ibom State Government negatively in any way because under my administration and even in previous years, local governments have been getting their due allocations without any interference with the operations of the joint account"
Gov. Eno disclosed that the present state government has channeled volumes of funds into offsetting arrears of gratuities, pensions, salaries, and other entitlements to local government workers, noting that the autonomy granted to the third tier of government is a relief to the state government.
He expressed hope that local governments, under the new arrangement, would take over the responsibility of the prompt payment of salaries and other emoluments to teachers, health workers, and other LG workers to avoid leaving unnecessary burdens of arrears to successive governments.
In his words: “The Supreme Court has made pronouncements. That’s the final court of the land, but for us in Akwa Ibom, honestly, I don’t see us having any issues. For me, this is a welcome development because I know how much we, as a state, support the local governments.
“Since I assumed office, I’ve not touched any funds allocated to the local governments. The only challenge I envisage now, which we have to sit down and find a way around, is how the local government workers would get their renumerations and other financial entitlement seamlessly"
In the same vein, Nasarawa House of Assembly has expressed its support for the Apex Court ruling granting financial autonomy to the 774 local government areas in the country.
Speaker of the Assembly,Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau made the commendation following a matter of public importance moved by the lawmaker for Doma North,Musa Abubakar who is also the House Committee on ocal government and chieftaincy affairs.
The Speaker,who described the judgement as victory for democracy noted that financial autonomy will accelerate grassroot development.
Meanwhile,former Ekiti governor,Ayo Fayose over the feasibility of the Supreme Court ruling.
Speaking on Channel Television's Politics Today,Fayose posited"While I love and do not believe that any government should take local government funds,may I say to you very clearly this evening that you cannot take the baby from the mother.
"There's nobody that can can become council chairman without a governor. Let me quickly remind you that the House of Assembly of every state controls the activities of the local government"
