A Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute for Legislative Studies, National Assembly, Professor Samuel Oguche, has described local government as very critical in ensuring effective democratic governance at the grassroots.
He stated this during a 3-day induction course for elected local government officials and financial administrative staff held in Lokoja starting from Monday to Wednesday.
The event was organized by the office of the Auditor General for local governments in collaboration with the 21 local government councils of Kogi state with the theme: ”Emerging Challenges And Benefits Of Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria”
In his lecture titled “Understanding the Dynamics of Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria,” he emphasized the critical role local governments’ play in fostering development at the grassroots level.
Professor Oguche, said the third tier of government must receive the focus attention and support it rightfully deserves to enable it deliver on its mandate.
While highlighting the importance of sound leadership, Prof. Oguche called on elected local and other government officials to deepen their understanding of local government autonomy.
According to him, a clear grasp of this concept is essential for implementing policies that truly serve the interests of their communities, adding that they should not take local government autonomy on its facial value.
For democratic governance to thrive at the local level, the legal scholar recommended sweeping reforms such as strengthening institutional frameworks, cutting down bureaucratic red tape, enhancing the capacity of elected officials through continuous training, and instituting strict measures to prevent corruption and financial mismanagement.
Prof. Oguche also advocated for stronger oversight mechanisms for local legislators and improved intergovernmental collaboration, which he said are vital for efficient and accountable governance across all tiers.
In his remarks, the Auditor General for local government, Hon. Yakubu Siyaka Adebenege , said that the present administration’s desire is to ensure every segment of the government functions efficiently for the growth of the entire state, noting that capacity building was key to ensuring that innovations necessary for 21st century growth were brought into the state, hence the induction programme.
He therefore urged participants to effectively implement all that they had been taught at the induction course to justify the huge resources government invested into its realization.
The occasion, involved all the elected officials of the 21 local government areas of the state including other principal officers of the local government councils in the state.