By Kure Tashilane.
… establish state economic council and introduce area administrative councils …
Nasarawa State Governor Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule has assented into law Nasarawa State Local Government Law 2024 to consolidate local government financial autonomy in line with the recent supreme court judgement.
The Governor assented into law an executive bill that domesticated the new laws on local government financial autonomy after passing through the usual legislation and public hearing at the hallow chamber of the State House of Assembly in a ceremony held Monday 4th, November 2024 in Lafia the State capital.
He also stated that development areas in the state would henceforth be known as Area Administrative Councils (AAC) with the heads and other officials to be appointed by the Governor as stipulated by the new law but subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.
” The Area Administrative Councils are expected to be funded by the respective local government councils with counterpart funding from the state Internally Generated Revenue ” He stated.
Engineer Sule explained further that the law ushers in a new era in local government councils administration as it repeals the hitherto existing 2018 local government laws of the state.
” I am delighted with a deep sense of humility and responsibility that I address you today on this occasion of the signing into law of Nasarawa State Local Government Law 2024 …
” This law not only mark a significant milestone in our governance framework but also represents our unwavering commitment in upholding the principles of democracy, transparency, accountability and the rule of law at the local government levels ” The Governor pointed out.
The Governor stressed that the new local government law is his administration’s deliberate efforts to ensure full conformity to the Supreme Court’s Judgement on local government councils financial autonomy.
He stated further that the Supreme Court’s Judgement has set a precedent that Nasarawa State Government is consolidating on through the enactment of Nasarawa State Local Government Law 2024 so as to empower the third tier of government to operate independently moving forward.
The Governor equally pointed out that he is pleased to announce to the people of Nasarawa State that the State and Local Government Joint Account regime had been abolished in order to give the third tier of government the needed freedom to manage their resources directly and fund developmental projects at the grassroot levels.
” This approach, aligns with our commitment to fiscal responsibilities that ensures that funds allocated to local government councils reach their intended destinations with unnecessary delays or bureaucratic hurdles …
” This will help local government councils pay their salaries, gratuities and even pensions along with the state even earlier as we stand on the threshold of a new era ” The Governor asserted.
He appreciated all those who contributed in one way or the other in bringing into fruition the new local government law especially the Speaker Nasarawa State House of Assembly, principal officers and other members as well as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State for their dedication to public service.
To further strengthen economic development initiatives in the state, the Governor announced the establishment of State Economic Council which would be Chaired by the Deputy Governor Dr. Emmanuel Akabe moving forward.
On his part, the Speaker Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau explained that due to the synergy existing between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state; the bill went through first reading on the 14th of October,2024 before it was subjected to public hearing.
Jatau revealed that the essence of the public hearing was to get the input of stakeholders and the general public and that while the sessions lasted, the House was privileged to have His Royal Highness the Emir of Lafia Muhammad Sidi Bage (I) at hallow chamber who gave his input on the bill.
Earlier in his introductory speech the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Labaran Magaji disclosed that the new State Local Government Law 2024 embodies the purpose and intent of government with regards to structure, composition and finances of local government councils in the state.
He stressed that the law is also in conformity with the recent Supreme Court judgment regarding local government autonomy, reiterating Engineer Abdullahi Sule’s administration’s commitment to empower local government councils to serve the citizens effectively moving forward.
The ceremony was climaxed with the Governor putting ink on paper as he assents into law the new State Local Government Law, 2024.
