In the spirit of financial autonomy, we need more citizenship awareness regarding the differences in the local and state governments’ responsibilities before we overpopulate the wage bill of the local government with an unnecessary workforce. It is disheartening that our national discourse is often driven by emotions and sentiments, not logic and facts. Many complicated issues surrounding LGs have to be address behind the surface. But many seem to be interested in the pedestrian and political discussions around the subject.
Upon the judgment of the highest court of the land (Supreme Court) Nigerians have started permutations and sharing opinions on how the local government Chairmen should be spending the monthly allocation since the court judgment validates the yarning and complain of the majority, importantly, people from states where caretaker committee members were in the affairs of the local government administration.
It is generally believed that the “State Joint Local Government Account” is the major challenge of grassroots development in Nigeria since the money meant for grassroots development (local government monthly allocation) is been channeled through the Joint Account
The actions and inactions of Governors show that their power is phenomenal in Nigeria’s political settings. It’s natural for members of the Nigeria Governors Forum to be self-protective of their interests. They can be described as cooks and stewards in the kitchen who serve the choicest part of food to themselves, first before other guests are served. Nigeria Governors Forum will always legislate laws that protect and serve their interests. For instance, the majority of appointive officers by the presidency were nominees of the governors, they would decide on who is who in party executives, local government administration, and local politics in their pockets. Though all actions will be judged by intention not that NGF doesn’t have its valid points on the negative side of local government administration, especially, in the aspect of salary payment, it is not news that many state governors inherited local government systems that owned backlogs of salaries, gratuities, and pensions, and difficulty the local government enchanter to pay workers salaries; this claim is real, but pondering on Yoruba proverb that says “Every lizard lies on its belly, so we can not tell who has belly-aches” can’t make everybody believe their respective Governor main motive
There are questions begging for answers before we continue the “skelewu dance”. How did LG get to a stage that they couldn’t pay salary as and when due? They can pay now but what is certain is if they can survive after a new minimum wage comes on board. Environmental protection is also a major challenge. Evacuation of waste is another great challenge the LGs will face. This is a huge task that comes with huge financial commitments. Can some of our LGA muscle this very important task? Especially the LGAs at the main cities in Oyo State. Ibadan in particular. The changing economic, social, and political environment, including long-term economic restructuring and political changes, will further complicate the challenges faced by many of these LGAs. Can they really face the multitasking challenges of diversification?
Now that we are going back there, let’s learn from our history. The local Government wage bill is beyond paying salary alone
Alabi Quadri, Is a social and political analysis.
alabiquadri13@gmail.com
