Autonomy: Emulate Zulum, allow FAAC send fund directly to LGAs – Onuigbo to governors

A member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission, NEDC, and a two-time House of Representatives member, Sam Onuigbo, has called on governors to shelve selfish interests and allow federal allocations to be paid directly to local government councils.

He said governors should emulate the standard set by the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

DAILY POST reported that Governor Zulum recently ordered the direct payment of monthly federal allocations to the 27 local government areas of Borno State, noting that the move was intended to boost transparency and empower local government chairpersons for grassroots development.

Onuigbo said this was a great example for other state governors to follow.

“This would help ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform efforts work effectively at the local level,” he said.

Onuigbo, who also serves as Chairman of the Security, Special Intervention and Climate Change Committee in the NEDC, said governors must not shy away from doing what is beneficial to grassroots development.

“Democracy isn’t being felt at the local level because state governors have too much control over council funding and the local government system,” he said.

He said the governor’s decision supports Nigeria’s Constitution, the democratic process and the general public.

“I feel satisfied because, over the years, I have been actively working to support the financial independence of local government councils,” the former lawmaker told the governor in a letter.

“My call on colleague governors to leave local government council funds untouched came at a big personal and political price.

“As a former commissioner in my state, like yourself, I had first-hand knowledge of how financial constraints hampered local government council chairmen from the optimum performance of their constitutional responsibilities.”

Autonomy: Emulate Zulum, allow FAAC send fund directly to LGAs – Onuigbo to governors