Governor Sule.

NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia

The governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule has sworn in the 13 Local Government Council Chairmen who were elected on Saturday. The event was held at the Government House, Lafia the State capital, on Monday. Prior to the ceremony, Sule signed the Local Government Bill 2024 into law, to replace the previous one. The key point in the new law is the removal of state joint accounts and the establishment of a State Economic Council to be chaired by the deputy governor. Also, the Development Areas have been replaced by Area Administrative Councils.

Shortly after signing the bill into law, Governor Sule told his listeners that the idea was a clear manifestation of his administration’s will to comply with the judgment of the Supreme Court which granted absolute autonomy to local government areas. “As we embark upon this chapter, it is crucial that this legislation that we have assented to is a demonstration of a deliberate effort to comply with the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming local government autonomy. The judgement has set a precedence that we as a state are committed to consolidating and honouring the law of our land.”

The governor announced the voiding of the joint account system, saying “This critical change will enhance the financial autonomy of our local government councils, allowing them to manage their resources directly and fund essential services for our communities. This approach aligns with our commitment to fiscal responsibility and ensures funds are allocated to local government to reach their intended destinations without unnecessary delays or bureaucratic hurdles,” he noted, that innovations in internally generated revenue-sharing processes have been developed to enhance service delivery and support for the local communities, particularly in the area of security, which he deemed as “A panacea for sustainable development at the grassroots level.”

He also thanked the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Danladi Jatau, his colleagues, the State Auditor General, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and his team as well as the Officers of the Office of the Secretary to the State government, for working effectively towards the development and passage of the bill.

Speaker Jatau commended the cordial working relationship between the House of Assembly and the executive which has led to the progress made in the governance of the State. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Labaran Magaji earlier told the gathering that the bill set the vision of the state as it concerns the structure, composition and finances of local government areas in the State.