LG autonomy will promote rural development – Minister

The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo, has said that the Supreme Court’s ruling on Local Government Autonomy will fast track socio-economic development of the nation through the grassroots.

Jisalo said this yesterday in Abuja, at the Annual Retreat on Performance Management System (PMS), organized by the ministry themed, ‘Enhancing Excellence: Integrated Performance and Delivery Systems’.

The seven-justice panel of the apex court, on Thursday in a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, declared that the 774 local government councils in the country should independently manage their own funds.

The court further ruled that a state government has no power to appoint a caretaker committee and a local government council is only recognisable with a democratically elected government.

Jisalo said one of the ministry’s objectives is to supervise the local government, promote economic development and security of lives in the rural communities and would be maximally implemented.

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“The autonomy would foster development in local governments. With the autonomy granted to LGs, the staff of the ministry must perform its constitutional responsibilities to better the lives of the citizens.

“That is to say, the state assembly will also legislate on the activities of local government, including the tenure of local government administration,” he said.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Ibiene Roberts, said the two-day retreat will delve into critical discussions on how to improve the PMS in the country which will ensure the delivery of excellence service to Nigerians.

Also, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties, Hon. Abdulahi Abdulrasheed, assured his committee would work with the ministry to tackle its challenges.

The Director, Policy Implementation and Monitoring of Government Decisions, in the ministry, Dr. Cyprian Kpakol said the retreat would also provide the avenue for the signing of performance contracts for all staff.