LG Autonomy : It's better to have 774 Thieves Than One Big Thief-Oshiomole | Omohglobalnews

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing the Edo North senatorial district, has expressed strong support for the financial autonomy of local governments in Nigeria.

Oshiomhole’s comments came in response to the July 11, 2024, Supreme Court ruling that upheld the financial autonomy of local governments.

Speaking at a forum on local government autonomy organized by the House of Representatives on Monday, the former Governor of Edo State emphasized the importance of character in governance and accountability.

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He highlighted the significant responsibilities of local government chairmen, given their proximity to the people, and advised them to allocate resources wisely for essential infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and other public services.

On a lighter note, Oshiomhole remarked, “It’s better to have 774 local government chairmen who are thieves than one big thief,” adding that with this every local government in Nigeria will produce one or two billionaires, rather than having just one billionaire in the state.

Also, speaking at the event, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen identified inadequate funding as one of the most significant challenges hindering local government autonomy in Nigeria, calling for urgent reforms to enhance local government administration.

Abbas, represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, emphasized that local governments are often financially constrained, affecting their ability to provide essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

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He stated, “Local governments often operate on budgets that are insufficient to meet their responsibilities. This financial constraint limits their ability to deliver essential services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and sanitation.”

Highlighting the need for autonomy, Abbas said, “Local governments must operate with a degree of autonomy that allows them to respond promptly and appropriately to the unique needs of their communities. Sadly, significant challenges, including inadequate funding, lack of autonomy, and corruption, have plagued local governments for decades.”

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s Perspective

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in managing local government funds. He highlighted the provisions of the 1999 Constitution that assign specific responsibilities to local governments, such as primary healthcare and sanitation, but lamented poor financial management and oversight.

“Local government councils are in charge of primary health care, sanitation, and road construction. During my tenure, we conducted free and fair elections, allowing opposition parties to win some councillor positions. Accountability is critical. Every expenditure above ₦500,000 was scrutinized to ensure funds were judiciously utilized,” Kalu said.

He also stressed the need to separate state and local government responsibilities, citing the example of primary school teachers’ salaries, which remain the responsibility of local governments.