By Peter Amine
Prof. Patrick Dakum, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), has applauded the Federal Government for the legal action taken against state governors to ensure local government autonomy.
Dakum’s position was conveyed in a statement signed by his media consultant, Mr Shabul Mazadu, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Jos.
The CEO, who was Plateau Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, stated that securing autonomy for the third tiers of government would enhance rapid and tremendous transformation at the grassroots.
The Plateau former commissioner for ministries of health and information further said that wholesome development in rural areas would be a mirage if local governments remained under the control of states.
He said that the development that the country is craving cannot be achieved without financial autonomy.
“Infrastructure development will continue to stall unless there is financial autonomy for the local governments.
“That’s why I am very happy with the Federal Government for taking the state governments to court. Unless you give them autonomy, there will be no development.
“Give them financial autonomy and put the system in such a way that leakages are blocked.
“There are roads, schools, healthcare centres, and so on under local governments, and there are state roads, schools, hospitals, and so on.
“If each tier handles their responsibilities well, remarkable progress will be achieved,” he stated.
According to him, when LGs have their autonomy and work assiduously, they would create jobs at the grassroots to lessen the burden of unemployment on the federal and state governments.
He added that such would attract investment and would significantly enhance the country’s gross domestic product.
Dakum prayed for the Federal Government to win at the Supreme Court to enable local governments to have their autonomy and erase the snail-speed development witnessed in the country.
It could be recalled that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, on May 26, 2024, dragged the 36 state governors to the Supreme Court.
The FG is seeking orders to restrain governors from arbitrary removal of local government chairmen.
The FG also wants governors to allow the credits to the third tier to be directly paid to them and restrain governors, their agents, and privies from receiving, spending, or tampering with funds meant for LGs.
