By Favour Percy-Idubor
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has inaugurated a committee, chaired by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Osaze Uzi, for the implementation of local government autonomy in the state.
The governor, while inaugurating the committee at the Government House, in Benin City, listed areas of priority for the local governments to include; salaries of workers, payment of pensioners and gratuity, traditional council staff, and primary healthcare.
Obaseki noted that the Commissioner for Justice will be assisted by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Monday Osaigbovo.
The governor noted, “As you are aware, the Supreme Court judgment ordering the separation and payment of funds due to local governments from the Federation Account to the local government account has implications. As a law-abiding state, we decided to implement this judgment.
“Judgement means that we have to work out the modalities on how the joint responsibilities which we used to take under JAAC will be carried out under this new dispensation. Hence, the need for the committee to work out the modality for implementation of the local government autonomy.”
“Also, the five percent due traditional leaders, we know the peculiarities, especially in Edo South. How will it be handled? The one percent trading fund for Local Government Service Commission we can see how that will be collected seamlessly. The traditional council staff under the pay of local government and how it will be dealt with.
“One of the areas to look at and work out a seamless arrangement is on the monthly payment of pension and also the arrears of pension obligations to retired workers from Local Governments service. We have been jointly financing the training of vigilante security personnel and also jointly financing the rollout of fiber optic connection connecting primary healthcare services to this fiber optic network. We need to look at this and how the health system will benefit.
“Time is of importance and your report should come in not later than the last day in September so that full implementation of the Committee will take place by the 1st of October 2024.”
On his part, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Monday Osaigbovo on behalf of other members of the Committee pledged to deliver on the assigned role.
