ALGON commends NASS over LG autonomy

By Samuel Ogidan
Abuja

Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has commended the National Assembly over its recommendation to grant Local Government autonomy.

The commendation was contained in a statement by its National President, Ozo Nwabueze Okafor.
ALGON appreciated both houses of the 7th National Assembly under the visionary leadership of David Mark, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu, Aminu waziri Tambuwal, and Emeka Ihedioha, respectively, adding that they truly represented the wishes of the masses of Nigeria by “finally accenting to this proposal of granting full financial and administrative autonomy to the 774 local council councils across Nigeria through the amendment of section 124 of the nation’s constitution.”

It further said: “The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) hereby expresses its profound gratitude to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the 7th National Assembly for their concerted efforts towards the enthronement of a virile and functional local government system in Nigeria, which climaxed recently in the historic joint constitution amendment committee vote to grant autonomy to local governments in the country.

“The section which has a consequential provision for the making of the local councils, a full third tier government without undue interference from the state governments has come alive and for a well meaning development at the grassroots.
“We commend all Nigerians for their untiring support through process of advocacy, consultation, mobilization, especially during the public hearing in the 360 Federal Constituencies where the journey to this success began.
“We wish to appreciate the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review who flagged-off the process with the release of guidelines for the conduct of the special public hearings which was held in the 360 Federal Constituencies across the country.”