By Divine Ihechimerem
In a significant endorsement of the Federal Government’s recent initiative to grant full autonomy to local governments across Nigeria, the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Ade Dosunmu, MON, has commended the bold step towards decentralization.
The proposal, championed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, who has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey. The move seeks to address the long-standing issue of local government autonomy, which has hindered effective governance at the grassroots level.
Dosunmu highlighted the constitutional complexities surrounding local government administration, emphasizing the need for clarity and consistency in legal frameworks. He urged the government to address contradictory clauses in the constitution to ensure comprehensive financial and administrative autonomy for local governments.
Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership in advancing this initiative, he emphasized the transformative impact of granting autonomy to the 774 local governments across the country. He stressed the importance of direct democracy, enabling citizens to participate in local decision-making processes and hold elected officials accountable.
Dosunmu underscored the potential benefits of local government autonomy, including attracting quality personnel, reducing dependence on state and federal governments, and fostering political inclusiveness. He emphasized that empowering local governments would lead to efficient service delivery, transparency, and equitable distribution of resources, ultimately enhancing democratic governance.
He asserted that granting full autonomy to local governments is imperative for achieving good governance and accelerating development at the grassroots level. He called for widespread support for this initiative, emphasizing its role in advancing Nigeria’s democratic ideals and ensuring a brighter future for all citizens.