Social Development Integrated Centre Demands Full Autonomy For Councils

… Tasks Ekiti Councils On Transparency

The Social Development Integrated Centre- Social Action has advocated an amendment of the constitution and creation of a legislative structure for a truly independent local government system.

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The Lead Cluster of the group in Ekiti State, Bukola Adedeji made the call during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Secretariat, Ado Ekiti.

According to her, there is the need for a new legislative framework that would make provisions to ensure that the  Local Government Councils have full autonomy, so as to play it’s roles effectively.

Her words: “We strongly believe that a transparent local government system, backed by a well-defined legislative framework to manage its resources subject only to the wishes of the people will deliver the needed development.

“It is when we have an independent local government that the people can confidently engage the council authorities to account for the resources that are elected to manage on behalf of the people.”

Adedeji implored government at all levels, particularly local governments, to diversify and implement income-generating and mobilize policy initiatives for the benefit of Local governments.

More specifically the group called on as it the head of local
Government Service Commission to direct all the LGAs to hoist functional websites and create channels of communications, like dedication phone numbers, functional email addresses, sms numbers, what’sapp lines.

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It also advocated the need to direct direct the departments of research and budget to ensure that NEEDs Assessments of communities are carried out with the full participation of the people while special attention should be given to women and girl’s development and empowerment.

She said:”Youths should be encouraged to learn current skills relevant in today’s world. Micro credits, soft loans and non-interest loans should be made available as this will in small measure increase small holder farmers yield and increase the internally generated revenue of our local governments.

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