The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria has entered into a partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to orient its members across the 774 local government areas in the country on procurement, financial spending, due process, accountability and transparency.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the association’s 49th National Executive Council meeting held in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Wednesday.
The communique was jointly signed by the ALGON National Publicity Secretary, Bala Chamoo, and the National Treasurer, Gazal Babatunde.
According to the communique, the NEC reached seven key resolutions aimed at positioning the association to serve Nigerians better.
The resolutions include a partnership with the EFCC; capacity building and stakeholders’ engagement; service delivery and expectations; advocacy and partnerships; Supreme Court judgment implementation; optimism and expected outcomes; and primary healthcare services.
The communique reads, “Partnership with EFCC: The NEC is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to orient its members on procurement, financial spending, due process, accountability, and transparency.
“Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement: The NEC expresses its sincere appreciation for the numerous multi-stakeholder engagements following the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, which granted full autonomy to the local government administration in the country. These efforts have significantly enhanced the capacity and addressed the challenges posed by the said judgment for the LGA administration.
“Service Delivery and Expectations: The NEC acknowledges the heightened expectations across the LGAs and Area Councils, and reaffirms its commitment to intensify efforts and achieve tangible successes in service delivery to the populace.
“Advocacy and Partnerships: The NEC notes its ongoing high-level advocacy, meetings, and mobilisation efforts to promote a robust local government administration. Notable engagements include visits to key ministries, departments, and agencies, such as the Federal Ministry of Health, Education, Finance, Budget and Planning, Petroleum Resources, NIIT, among others.
“Supreme Court Judgment Implementation: The NEC welcomes the inauguration of the Federal Government Steering Committee on enforcement and implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on local government financial autonomy.
“We appreciate the chairman and members of the committee and pledge to ensure the realisation of the LG autonomy, particularly in reviewing the local government structure to meet the people’s yearnings.
“Optimism and Expected Outcomes: The NEC is optimistic about the anticipated positive outcomes resulting from the realisation of the autonomy gains.
“Primary Health Care Services: The NEC is making concerted efforts to ensure the completion of primary healthcare centres project across the country. The meeting agreed to invite the consultant for a briefing on the project.”
Our correspondent reports that according to the communique, the resolutions underscore ALGON’s commitment to advancing the interests of local government councils and enhancing service delivery to all Nigerians residents across the 774 LGAs of the country.
By Collins Agwam
