Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on Tuesday emphasized that cooperation and determination of all stakeholders are crucial for the successful and effective implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgement on local governments’ financial autonomy.
Minister Edun disclosed that a recent meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) had agreed to more consultations between the federal, state, and local governments on the developmental needs of citizens at the grassroots level.
Edun stated this while speaking at the Agora Policy Conversation in Abuja on the theme “Local Governance Reforms a Year after the Supreme Court’s Ruling.”
The Supreme Court on July 11, 2024, delivered a landmark ruling granting financial and administrative autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country but, this decision is yet to see the light of day regarding full implementation.
The apex court had affirmed that local governments should independently manage their finances, collect revenues, allocate resources, and make decisions without requiring the state government’s approval.
According to Minister Edun, during one of his visits to the National Assembly, he was informed that a subsisting law on local government financing existed even before the Supreme Court ruled on the issue.
He said that the development of the grassroots—which the local governments represent—is a key priority for the Federal Government, as outlined in the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) programme, a World Bank-backed initiative aimed at improving education, healthcare, and governance outcomes across Nigeria.
Minister Edun has been one of the top government officials with a strong voice for the third tier of governance in Nigeria who also revealed that the federal government is planning several initiatives designed to support local governance capacity.
NewsQuest reports that the Minister at different times announced such initiatives to include the National Nutrition Programme and the Local Government Connectivity Project, which aim to improve digital infrastructure and access to markets, education, and health services across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
