In a significant step towards reinforcing local government independence, the Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated a 10-member committee to enforce a recent Supreme Court ruling that grants financial autonomy to local governments.
The Supreme Court's landmark decision on July 11 declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds allocated to local government administrations. The ruling seeks to empower local governments to operate independently, enabling them to fulfill their responsibilities without undue influence from state authorities.
In response to the ruling, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume has established an inter-ministerial committee to oversee the implementation of the court’s decision. According to a statement released on Tuesday by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Akume will chair the newly formed committee.
The committee comprises several high-profile members, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, the Accountant General of the Federation, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, as well as representatives from state governors and local governments.
Imohiosen emphasized that the committee's primary objective is to ensure that local governments are granted full financial autonomy, enabling them to operate effectively and independently from state government interference.
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