House Progresses On LG Autonomy Bill
A bill to grant financial autonomy to local government councils has passed for second reading yesterday at the House of Representatives.
The bill was sponsored by member representing Isuikwuato/ Umunneochi federal constituency, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha ant titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter Section 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to among Other Things ensure Financial Autonomy of Local Government Councils and for Other Related Matters.”
No More Joint Accounts
Meanwhile, the bill seeks to alter section 162 of the 1999 constitution thereby stopping the joint account by state-local government. If passed into law, the bill will establish local government council allocation account. Therefore, all funds to local governments from the federation account and shall be paid through this.
Also, disbursement of the fund shall be effected through a bye-law passed by the local government legislative council.
Onyejeocha explained that the bill will strengthen the operation of the local government councils. He decried that state governments have capitalised on the joint account to exploit local government councils.
