Local Governments Autonomy And The Imperatives Of Grassroots Development

The vexed issue of State and local Government joint accounts toppled the agenda during the last national conference which attracted overwhelming support for local government autonomy.

Of a truth, the constitution recognized the existence of local governments particularly at section 7 (7) which emphasized the existence of local government by democratically elected councils.

Today, local government councils are at the mercy of State governors who controls the finances of councils through the evil instrumentality of joint accounts.

By joint account, it is meant that federal allocations for both States and councils are paid directly to the joint account and the state thereafter credit councils accounts with its due share.

This is the aspect that seem to cripple the activities of the councils as governors make all kinds of unlawful deductions from the council's funds apart from unconstitutional delay in releasing share of councils allocations.

In Delta State, council workers are being owed seven months salaries arrears whereas state civil servants received October salaries on November 6.

This development is unacceptable as council and state workers buy from the same market and have similar responsibilities.

The state government deliberate neglect of the councils is making life unbearable for council workers and at the same time grounded capital projects especially infrastructural development at the grassroots.

The All Progressives Congress APC candidate in the 2015 elections, Olorogun Otega Emerhor emphasized in his 10 points agenda for the development of the state, a local government system where LGAs are made the focal point for development.

He further explained that if elected he would ensure that apart from ensuring that councils funds are released within 48 hours of receipt from the federal government; a dedicated account for extra funds to the councils will be put in place to facilitate the development of rural communities.

What we have seen in couple of years in Delta State is the total failure of the state government to assist the councils by releasing their due funds and liaising with council chairmen to ensure that development is brought to our rural communities.

This attitude of the PDP government in Delta State has caused pains, frustration, poverty and joblessness in that the councils can no longer pay salaries and wages of its workforce.

Gov Okowa made matters worse since he assumed office.

Most LGA chairmen had to introduce harsh levies and taxes so as to be able to sustain the day to day running of the councils while others were forced to reduce the size of employees.

In Delta State the councils are treated with utmost disdain by PDP government.

The federal bailout funds released to Delta State over four weeks ago is yet to get to the councils account.

The State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has little or no regards for local government survival as he managed to pay State civil servants without visible efforts to pay council workers.

The danger in this is that the current council chairmen will soon be seeking re-election and it will be a difficult task convincing the electorates to vote them for second tenure.

If we must say the truth always, PDP government in Delta State do not have respect for councils and their workers.

A Pointer to this fact is the suspension of Uvwie LGA Chairman, Engr Henry Baro and the deliberate refusal by Gov. Okowa to right the wrong so as to reconstitute the LGA.

The need for absolute autonomy of councils topped the agenda in several foras recently and President Muhammadu Buhari is doing the needful to ensure that councils funds are paid directly without going through state government.

Gov. Okowa of Delta State has demonstrated that he does not have the capacity to turn around the socioeconomic and political fortunes of the State.

Okowa should therefore step aside for capable hands to manage the affairs of Delta State