NULGE hails President Buhari for supporting LG autonomy

The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on Monday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting Local Government autonomy.
The President of NULGE in Kaduna, Alhaji Jabir Danlami, made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Monday.

Danlami said that if autonomy could be granted to local councils it would lead to massive development at the grass root.

President Buhari on Sept. 15 pledged to support autonomy for local governments when he received the leadership of the Association of Local Governments in Nigeria (ALGON) in Abuja.

“We have been agitating for the independence of local government areas for a long time.

“The president throwing his weight behind the struggle is definitely a plus,’’ Danlami said.

He said the situation where local councils’ allocation from the Federation Account came through the state government joint account was counter-productive.

The NULGE president said what usually accrued to the councils from the state government’s sharing of federal allocation was rarely enough to pay salaries not to talk of carrying out projects.

He noted that every local government had its peculiar demand and needs.

“Local government employees are tired because the councils do not have autonomy.

“Making the councils autonomous will give the government at the grass root an opportunity to fulfill its campaign promises.

“We call on the state governors to give President Buhari’s position on this issue support because it is the only solution to addressing problems in the rural areas.

“In Kaduna, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, has shown commitment to independence of local councils in the state,’’ Dalami said.

Danlami called on local government employees to show commitment in the discharge of their duties, adding that they should pray for the autonomy of councils in the country to facilitate grass root development.