Wase, Elumelu, Others Pledge Support For Local Government Autonomy

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Idris
Wase and Minority Leader, Hon Ndudi Elumelu, on Thursday, expressed
overwhelming support for the proposed autonomy for Local Government
Councils as part of an ongoing effort aimed at addressing myriad of
challenges facing the country including infrastructural deficit and
insecurity.

The duo expressed support in Abuja during the Two-Day Leadership
and Development Master Class Training Program for the elected Local
Government Chairmen and Councillors of Delta State.

The Deputy Speaker who expressed optimism in the capacity of
Local Government in addressing a myriad of socio-economic and
political challenges facing the country, said: “My dream for the
country is to have a very sound, viral working local government
system. When you have that one in Nigeria achieved, I want to say
all the security challenges we are having in this country will be
solved.”

Wase who doubles as Chairman, Special Ad-hoc Committee on
Constitutional Amendment, expressed optimism that “before the end
of this administration, we should deliver on our constitutional
amendment to provide a workable local government system that will
be the true third tier of government”

According to him, “Not the third tier that when you do
Federation Account Allocation some few persons will go and sat
somewhere in small rooms do all the cuttings and send out the
peanuts. Meanwhile, the bulk of the problems, being it
infrastructure, insecurity is there at the grassroots.”

While applauding the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari
towards ensuring financial autonomy for the Local Government in the
country, the Deputy Speaker said: “As for me, first as a member of
parliament representing my constituency and my people, I think I am
on the same page with my constituents to have an autonomous local
government system, anchored on the generosity of what the President
has done.

“If you remember sometime past, he signed an Executive Order to
have financial autonomy for local government.
“It is not just about financial autonomy; we should also have
complete independence of their administration, apart from their
finances. That is the only way it can work, to make Nigeria and
Nigerians great,” he noted.

On his part, the House Minority Leader, Hon Ndudi Elumelu,
tasked subnational governments on the need to embrace the Local
Government Council and invest in human capital development for
effective service delivery.

According to him, ” that we need is lobbying. There’s the need
for those fears of the Governors. One of the States that voted for
local Government autonomy was Delta State, my Governor supported it
the last time when it came in 2015 to 2019 amendment/alteration, he
supported it and the Houses of Assembly that supported it were
about 10 States that voted in favour of it, Delta was among
them.

“So the issue about my state voting for it again is not a
question. It’s now left for other states to know that there is a
need for them to emulate what Delta has done by supporting it. So
if Delta State can support it I don’t see any other state that
shouldn’t support local government autonomy.”

On his part, the Guest Speaker, Prof Epiphany Azeinge tasked the
newly elected chairmen, vice-chairmen and councilors to see their
political victory and emergence as leaders in their respective
local government.

According to him, “Let me also invite all of you to see your
victory as a call to service to your people and an opportunity to
demonstrate leadership

“I want to advise you all to master your mandate as provided by
the Constitution and extant laws and regulations

“As the third tier of government, you are critical stakeholders
in our federal system of government. Be informed therefore that
leadership comes with responsibility.

“Therefore you must show responsibility in all ramifications of
your duties and obligations. And you do that by showing and
demonstrating leadership to your staff and your people by being
accountable in all you do, by being selfless and altruistic by
observing due process and the rule of law by avoiding the culture
of impunity.

“By identifying priorities and pursuing them to logical
conclusions, learn to be frugal and prudent in the management of
public funds, always realise that public fund is a public
trust.

“Teamwork and team spirit cannot be over-emphasised at the cause
of your duties, be role models, influencers, enablers and sources
of inspiration to your people.

“Let me say this that good leaders are students of history.
Learn from the mistakes of others and build upon their successes.
Define and pursue your legacy. Never was there a leader without a
legacy. Don’t be a mere footnote in history write your story for
generations to come.

“For smooth fiscal autonomy with her political correctness or
with political correctness, you can still achieve results without
being confrontational or combative as the case may be.

“Learn to compare notes with colleagues from other jurisdictions
in Nigeria, even outside as the case may be. Learn to accept and
tolerate criticism but constructing otherwise. Know that time flies
when you are in public office three years is like three days avoid
completely,” he urged.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Idris
Wase and Minority Leader, Hon Ndudi Elumelu, on Thursday, expressed
overwhelming support for the proposed autonomy for Local Government
Councils as part of an ongoing effort aimed at addressing myriad of
challenges facing the country including infrastructural deficit and
insecurity.

The duo expressed support in Abuja during the Two-Day Leadership
and Development Master Class Training Program for the elected Local
Government Chairmen and Councillors of Delta State.

The Deputy Speaker who expressed optimism in the capacity of
Local Government in addressing a myriad of socio-economic and
political challenges facing the country, said: “My dream for the
country is to have a very sound, viral working local government
system. When you have that one in Nigeria achieved, I want to say
all the security challenges we are having in this country will be
solved.”

Wase who doubles as Chairman, Special Ad-hoc Committee on
Constitutional Amendment, expressed optimism that “before the end
of this administration, we should deliver on our constitutional
amendment to provide a workable local government system that will
be the true third tier of government”

According to him, “Not the third tier that when you do
Federation Account Allocation some few persons will go and sat
somewhere in small rooms do all the cuttings and send out the
peanuts. Meanwhile, the bulk of the problems, being it
infrastructure, insecurity is there at the grassroots.”

While applauding the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari
towards ensuring financial autonomy for the Local Government in the
country, the Deputy Speaker said: “As for me, first as a member of
parliament representing my constituency and my people, I think I am
on the same page with my constituents to have an autonomous local
government system, anchored on the generosity of what the President
has done.

“If you remember sometime past, he signed an Executive Order to
have financial autonomy for local government.
“It is not just about financial autonomy; we should also have
complete independence of their administration, apart from their
finances. That is the only way it can work, to make Nigeria and
Nigerians great,” he noted.

On his part, the House Minority Leader, Hon Ndudi Elumelu,
tasked subnational governments on the need to embrace the Local
Government Council and invest in human capital development for
effective service delivery.

According to him, ” that we need is lobbying. There’s the need
for those fears of the Governors. One of the States that voted for
local Government autonomy was Delta State, my Governor supported it
the last time when it came in 2015 to 2019 amendment/alteration, he
supported it and the Houses of Assembly that supported it were
about 10 States that voted in favour of it, Delta was among
them.

“So the issue about my state voting for it again is not a
question. It’s now left for other states to know that there is a
need for them to emulate what Delta has done by supporting it. So
if Delta State can support it I don’t see any other state that
shouldn’t support local government autonomy.”

On his part, the Guest Speaker, Prof Epiphany Azeinge tasked the
newly elected chairmen, vice-chairmen and councilors to see their
political victory and emergence as leaders in their respective
local government.

According to him, “Let me also invite all of you to see your
victory as a call to service to your people and an opportunity to
demonstrate leadership

“I want to advise you all to master your mandate as provided by
the Constitution and extant laws and regulations

“As the third tier of government, you are critical stakeholders
in our federal system of government. Be informed therefore that
leadership comes with responsibility.

“Therefore you must show responsibility in all ramifications of
your duties and obligations. And you do that by showing and
demonstrating leadership to your staff and your people by being
accountable in all you do, by being selfless and altruistic by
observing due process and the rule of law by avoiding the culture
of impunity.

“By identifying priorities and pursuing them to logical
conclusions, learn to be frugal and prudent in the management of
public funds, always realise that public fund is a public
trust.

“Teamwork and team spirit cannot be over-emphasised at the cause
of your duties, be role models, influencers, enablers and sources
of inspiration to your people.

“Let me say this that good leaders are students of history.
Learn from the mistakes of others and build upon their successes.
Define and pursue your legacy. Never was there a leader without a
legacy. Don’t be a mere footnote in history write your story for
generations to come.

“For smooth fiscal autonomy with her political correctness or
with political correctness, you can still achieve results without
being confrontational or combative as the case may be.

“Learn to compare notes with colleagues from other jurisdictions
in Nigeria, even outside as the case may be. Learn to accept and
tolerate criticism but constructing otherwise. Know that time flies
when you are in public office three years is like three days avoid
completely,” he urged.