IN a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court granted financial autonomy to the 774 local governments in Nigeria, recognizing them as the third tier of the country’s public governance architecture. The judgement, delivered on July 11, two days before the local government election in Delta State, was a significant milestone in the country’s political history.
The court’s decision deemed the payment of local government allocations into state governments’ accounts as “gross misconduct.”
Justice Emmanuel Agim, who read the lead judgment, emphasized that Nigeria operates a three-tier governance structure, where no tier is subject to the whims of the others.
This judgment sets a precedent for local government autonomy in Nigeria, and its impact will be closely watched. The Oborevwori example in Delta State may inspire other states to follow suit, potentially transforming the country’s grassroots governance.
The judgement was generally well received by Nigerians and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, was not at all perturbed by the ruling because, to him, it was a huge relief to the finances of the State Government which, from time to time, had bailed out the 25 Local Governments in the state. So, for him and the Delta State Government, the ruling is a welcome development as the state had never had to pilfer Local Government funds but rather, it augments the local governments’ allocations to enable them meet up their financial obligations, especially in the payment of workers’ salaries.
Again, unlike most states, Delta has constantly organised elections for the Local Governments to ensure that they are democratically administered as it should be.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected local government chairmen in the state on Monday, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori charged them and their vice chairmen to hit the ground running and avoid wasteful spending.
Oborevwori said, “It goes without saying that you need money to run a successful administration. Please, note that the statutory allocations for the last three months are intact.
“I, therefore, expect you to hit the ground running by embarking on visible infrastructural projects that can be commissioned. You must shun wasteful spending and extravagant lifestyle. Let your administrations be characterized by modesty, fiscal discipline, prudent management, judicious allocation of resources, and excellent project delivery.”
On LG autonomy, the governor reiterated Delta’s support for the Supreme Court judgment, adding that the state government had never tampered with local government funds.
“Rather, the state government has often had to augment the allocations to the local governments to enable them meet their financial obligations”, he said.
He also charged the chairmen to stay close to their people and not become itinerant chairmen who operate from the state capital or anywhere else, while abandoning the people in the community.
Oborevwori urged them to expand their tax nets to increase their internally-generated revenue, but with due consideration of the impacts of the economic situation on the people.
While congratulating them on their victories, the governor advised the officials to have regular meetings with security agencies in their areas of jurisdiction, for the purpose of maintaining law and order.
“To the elected council chairmen, I urge you to reciprocate the huge mandate that has been given to you by giving preference to the needs and aspirations of your people with a view to delivering good governance.
“You must discharge your duties with sincerity of purpose, impartiality, compassion, fairness, and justice. I expect you to work assiduously for the actualisation of the MORE Agenda.
You should address the recurring problems of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and environmental decay in your local government areas,” he said.
Oborevwori said: “Aside from statutory allocations, I expect you to improve on your Internally-Generated Revenue and ensure it forms a sizable chunk of your revenue. However, I must caution that the need to boost your IGR must be carefully balanced with the needs and expectations of our people.
“You must be careful not to overtax an already burdened populace reeling under the painful effects of the current economic hardship,” Oborevwori said.
Responding on behalf of others, Oshimili North Council Chairman, Chief Innocent Esewezie, thanked the governor for finding them worthy and appreciated the people for reposing their faith in them to serve.
He assured that they would work to justify the reason for the position while pledging their resolve to key into the M.O.R.E. Agenda of the governor to spur development of the state.
Earlier on Sunday, Governor Oborevwori expressed satisfaction with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc redesigning and remodeling of the Effurun Roundabout to ease traffic flow.
He stated this after inspecting the flyover under construction at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) junction in the Uvwie local government area of the state.
The company is executing the contract awarded by the state government last year for the construction of three flyovers in Warri/Effurun, cloverleaf and road expansion.
The governor, obviously impressed with the work done on the projects so far, expressed optimism that the construction firm would deliver on schedule.
Oborevwori said, “I am impressed with the work they have done so far; remember I told you at inception that the job duration is 27 months, and as long as we pay them monthly, they will be able to keep up with the time they gave us. I usually pass here, but I stopped over and saw things for myself. I am impressed with their work so far, and I know they will keep to the 27-month completion period they gave to the state government.”
He commended Julius Berger for effectively managing traffic flow around the construction corridor by creating several diversions outside the site.
On Wednesday, Governor Oborevwori joined his brother Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a meeting held at the Enugu State Government House.
