Local Government Area chairmen in Lagos State on Thursday, lauded the Supreme Court judgment, granting autonomy to councils in Nigeria.
The chairmen made this known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to them, the verdict would strengthen the administration of Local Government Areas in Nigeria.
NAN reports that the Supreme Court granted financial autonomy to Local government areas in Nigeria.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court barred the 36 governors of the federation from further retaining or utilizing funds meant for the 774 local government areas in the country.
The apex court ruled that it was illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds allocated to LGAs in their states.
NAN recalls that the judgment followed a suit by the Federal Government, filed to secure financial autonomy for the LGAs.
Mr Olusegun Onilude, Chairman, of Badagry Local Government Area, said the verdict is a good development in the administration of the LGAs.
According to him, this will make all council chairmen accountable for all their deeds after leaving office.
“This will make all chairmen sit tight because there won’t be excuses for non-performance,” he said.
Onilude, however, said it would have been most beautiful if the verdict had also given autonomy to all Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the country.
He said the verdict was silent on, who would conduct council elections in the country.
Ms Surah Animashahun, Chairman, of Epe Local Government Area, said the verdict ushered in financial freedom for council chairmen in the country.
Animashahun said that councils in Lagos state have financial autonomy which had allowed for good working relationships with the state government.
She said the verdict is a right step in the right direction.
She added that the Lagos state government had over the years, complied with the Federal Government directive on financial autonomy for local government areas.
Speaking, Mr Johnson Babatunde, Executive Chairman, of Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA) also commended the Apex Court over the judgment.
Babatunde said the people at the grassroots had been suffering too much but that the new financial autonomy would bring succour to the community residents.
“It’s a welcome development. Nigerian citizen have been suffering too much, it’s enough for the state governors to be taken the local government for a ride.
“The local government is the closest to the grassroots, where security, and other social amenities are paramount, the local councils deserve it.
“Thank God for Lagos state that has the support of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who ensures that the local government and LCDAs are living up to the tasks given to them.
“We have organised a N50 million grassroots empowerment where 1000 of residents were giving N100,000 for startups through the help of the state governor.
“It is a welcome development and will bring relief to the grassroots, if it’s followed accordingly,” he said.
