THE NEED FOR LG CHAIRMEN TO BE RESIDENT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE HEADQUARTERS

  THE NEED FOR LG CHAIRMEN TO BE RESIDENT IN THEIR

                          RESPECTIVE HEADQUARTERS

        Surely, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. But the question behind this fact is, how does one commence the step and who is bound to initiate it? On this note, I must tell you that the answer is very simple. The person(S) involved in the journey is/are meant to initiate the step and such step ought to be commenced by first and foremost making your legs to be flexible. Having made your legs flexible, then you must be ready to stretch out one of them and this automatically signifies a step.

         Maybe we are yet to comprehend the above analysis. If that’s the case, then let’s simplify. If you intend to embark on any project, you must begin by planning towards the implementation of the proposed project. Your plan shall inculcate the capital involvement, risk and benefit behind such project. And I bet you, any project that is properly planned is expected to yield the desired outcome (output).

          Presently, there’s a bill lying in the Federal House of Assembly as regards making the existing third arm of government or otherwise known as local government councils in the country autonomy. This simply means that, the bill is soliciting for enactment of a law that would make the stated arm of government to stand on its own. In this regard, the council would be entitled to its monthly/annual allocation direct from the federal government rather than the ongoing practice that has to do with it dependency on the state government. On the contrary, if I’m given a role to play in this aspect, I would unequivocally say that this proposal is not necessary. From my point of view, what ought to be of paramount importance to the concerned individuals or the entire citizenry is on how the state governments can be adequately sanitized. When I used the word relating to sanitary, I meant a corruption-free administration. Because most of the state governments are into bargain with their local government counterparts. And such act is an aberration and as well making the system to be unhealthy.

        I must tell you this; if the third arm of government becomes an autonomy, then I’m afraid, the spy which the second arm of government stands for will no longer be obtainable. And believe me; this would continually constitute mismanagement of funds. Even if the funds should be granted to them directly by the federal government, there’s still need for the state governors to be allowed to exercise their supervisory role as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution as amended. This is my humble and candid opinion. You can counter it if you wish because it’s just a critique subject to criticism.

       Our topic for today is the need for the local government council chairmen to be resident at their respective headquarters. Of course, it’s no longer news that the LG chairmen are non-resident of their various headquarters. They all reside at their home residence. The most disgusting aspect of this is that most of them end-up residing at the capital territory of their respective states. Then on this note; one may ask, who is actually the governor of the state in question and who are the LG chairmen since each of them is resident at the same arena. Yes, if the state governor and his/her LG chairmen reside at the same area, then it’s definitely out of point.

        I want to use this avenue to conscientize the minds of the members of the Federal House of Assembly; the best thing they can do for the dying third arm of government which was introduced to decentralized good governance is to ensure or enact a law stating that all the LG chairmen should be resident at their respective local government council headquarters. On this ground, formidable and befitting structures would be built at the various headquarters for the chairmen and their supervisory councilors. Then the ward councilors would be mandated to be resident at their respective wards. Apparently, such phenomenon will surely lead to efficacy in good governance. Thus, effective and efficient delivery which remains the prayer of every concerned soul would be assured. Above all, it would be an avenue of bringing the aforementioned chairmen closer to their subjects.   

        Brethren, if truly that this proposed initiative is a journey of a thousand miles; therefore we must begin with a step. And the first step lies in the National Assembly. Definitely the ripe time to start stretching out the leg is now. Think about it!

     FRED NWAOZOR
Social analyst & activist
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