The member representing Owerri Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenna Elezianya has commended the passing of the local government autonomy bill by the Senate, saying the bill will develop the communities/local government areas hence curbing rural-urban migration.
He maintained that the bill which seeks to abolish joint account system of the local government is the best bill so far passed by the 9th Assembly.
The lawmaker stated that the bill will enable the local government generate and execute their budget without much interference by the state government.
According to him, the bill will enable each LGA to create and maintain its own special account to be called local government Allocation account where all the LGA allocation will be paid.
He maintained further with this, the state government will pay the LGAs in their jurisdiction such proportion of its internally generated revenue in such manner as will be submitted by the House of Assembly.
Elezianya stated also that the local government administration will take a new dimension as technocrats will vie for the position of the LGA chairman and not a situation where dropouts and people who have nothing meaningful to contribute in governance vie for such position. He stated that the bill will minimize much control from the state government.
He said in terms of some projects, the state government through its Ministry can play a supervisory role on such project where the LGAs don’t have the technical know-how after submitting the project to the state government as approved by the councilors. He said this will enable LGAs have funds and the authority to spend them to execute their projects.
He therefore urged the state governments to allow the bill thrive without kicking against it.