The Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Barr. Victor Chinemere Muruako, has called for an investment in the capacity level at local government level.
He made the call at a high-level policy conversation organized by Agora Policy on Tuesday themed: “Local Government Reforms A Year After Supreme Court’s Ruling” in Abuja.
Muruako who had also served at the local government tier, emphasized that sending funds alone will not suffice without equipping local governments with the knowledge and human resources to govern effectively.
“For me, it is with a lot of sentiment because I’ve operated at that level. he said.
“I’m coming with an in-depth knowledge of what it’s like at the local government level.
“Specially for me, most of the problems we’re having, particularly with security stems from the lack of complete disregard of the local government system.”
He noted that the Supreme Court’s judgement was not merely a legal pronouncement, but a democratic and economic turning point.
“I’m happy to say Mr President has taken bold steps and I also want to join him in commending the national parliament for their course.
“It only takes courage to push for what we’re discussing today.
NPO reports that on the 11th of July 2024, the Supreme Court granted local governments financial and administrative independence, mandating direct allocations from the Federation Account and reinforcing the call for free and fair elections.
However, Muruako warned that while financial and political autonomy are positive developments, they must be matched with guidance
“Financial autonomy granted to local governments will empower them to deliver essential service like healthcare, rural infrastructure, rural support.
“With my experience with the financial autonomy and political autonomy which will come, we also have to guide them in areas of borrowing, spending, because they may run into the same store some other tiers of government are going through.” he said.
The event was graced by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, who delivered the keynote address, Africa Director of the MacArthur Foundation, Dr. Kole Shettima, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr. Samson Itodo,
The panel moderated by Ms. Nancy Illoh-Nnaji, featured Hon. Bello Yandaki, the National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr. Akin Oyebode, Chairman of the Forum of Finance Commissioners, Hajia Saudatu Mahdi, Secretary General of the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Mr. Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Dr. Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI)