Nasarawa State Government Moves to Restructure Local Government System

The Nasarawa State Government is taking significant steps to restructure its local government system, aiming to align it with the recent Supreme Court ruling that grants financial autonomy to the third tier of government.

In an effort to implement this mandate, the state government has submitted an executive bill to the State House of Assembly, seeking to amend local government laws.

The Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment on July 11, 2024, affirming the financial autonomy of all 774 Local Government Councils in Nigeria, which is expected to enhance governance across the country.

In response to the apex court’s decision, state governors are taking measures to review and amend local government laws, which explains the Nasarawa State Government’s recent submission of an executive bill to the State House of Assembly.

The local government bill is scheduled for a second reading on October 16, 2024, during which the key components of the bill will be presented.

The spokesperson of the State House of Assembly, Jonah Ali Dizaho, was interviewed by NBS News, and inquiries were made about the specific changes the state government intends to implement within the local government laws.

However, Dizaho dismissed concerns regarding potential legislation from some state governors aimed at circumventing the Supreme Court ruling compelling local government chairmen to deposit funds into state joint accounts.

This move by the Nasarawa State government is a significant step towards ensuring that the local government system is structured in a way that aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling and promotes good governance.

The state government’s efforts to amend local government laws demonstrate its commitment to implementing the mandate and ensuring that the local government system is autonomous and effective.