Of all the reforms in the Local Government System, the 2019 Local Government Reform initiated by the government of General Muhammadu Buhari which gave Financial Autonomy to the local Government remains the greatest landmark in Local Government reforms in recent times.
Indeed, the Local Government Councils are supposed to be development centers which should portray the Local Government Areas in good light but instead not much has been recorded in the development of Local Government Councils across the country.
This is opposed to the economic agenda of both the Federal and State Governments which see these Local Government Headquarters as satellite towns that should grow astronomically until composite towns begin to emerge.
Regrettably, Local Government allocations were disbursed on monthly basis but there is little or nothing to show for them. The Rural Road Maintenance Unt which used to be the main hub of the Local Government Councils are no longer functioning as most rural roads are in a state of dilapidation.
Going by what is on ground today, the non-performance of the Local Government Councils is traceable to the inability of both the Federal and State Governments to fund and give proper direction to the Councils on what to do.
In fact, there are many areas the Local Government Councils can venture into, with a view of creating accelerated development in the Local Government System.
These include, the setting up of Garri processing factories and Oil mills in Strategic locations, establishment of small scale industries, setting up of large scale poultry farms, cultivation of large scale production of garden engs, cultivation of large scale production of yams and cassava, fisheries, snails, pineapple orchards, conversion of environmental waste into wealth etcetera.
In addition, there should be the establishment of soap factories and the installation of Agro mechanical processing units to add colour to our agricultural value chain.
In the same direction, Local Government Councils should establish clusters of innovative technology for cellular phone technicians within the council areas as a way of encouraging the youths to be more productive.
As the Local Government elections have been conducted in most States including Abia State, Abians expect that the State Government should direct the various councils to aggressively emback on road maintenance projects to complement the efforts of the Governor in making Abia a safe haven in the provision of infrastructure.
Government can enter into partnership with the Local Government Councils on how to complete the Enyimba Five Star Hotel and commission it in the next six months.
it is interesting to note that the previous calls to scrap all the local government system had died a natural death as it amounted to disorganizing the
existing tier of government that make up the federation. The system should rather be strengthened for the overall benefit of Nigerians.
Indeed, the efforts of the immediate part President, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari and members of the 8th and 9th National Assemblies should be commended for granting the Local Government System the deserved financial autonomy.
By this, what it means is that their allocation from the federation account will start to come into the Councils directly without undue interference from the various State governments. This is highly commendable if for no other reason, what has appeared impracticable over the years has become possible courtesy of Mr President, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Governors on their own part should show greater understanding in making the system the best thing that has happened to N geria in recent times.
