By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

House of Representatives Speaker, Rep Tajudeen Abbas on Monday, demanded a better deal for local government administration in the country, insisting that reforms must be carried out to favour the system.The Speaker made this known in Abuja while declaring open a national dialogue on local government and constitution amendment, organized by the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review.

He lamented that the current situation not only undermined the very essence of democracy but also raised serious concerns about the integrity and functionality of the local governance structures. The Speaker who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu noted that the Dialogue was part of the “series of consultations to harness citizens’ views and preferences in our efforts at having a truly peoples’ constitution in the country.”He recalled that a similar dialogue was held to find constitutional pathways to open up the governance and political space to “accommodate the very resourceful Nigerian women in our decision-making processes.”He said: “Today’s dialogue focuses on a critical aspect of our governance structure: the local government system. Local governments are often referred to as the closest tier of government to the people. They play an essential role in delivering services, fostering community development, and ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard at all levels of governance.“However, for local governments to fulfill these roles effectively, they must operate with a degree of autonomy that allows them to respond promptly and appropriately to the unique needs of their communities.“Sadly, despite the noble intentions of the drafters of our constitution in instituting the local government system, it is evident that there are significant challenges that hinder their effectiveness.”The Speaker noted that issues such as inadequate funding, lack of autonomy, insufficient capacity, usurpation of its functions by other levels of government, corruption and many more have plagued local governments for decades.“These challenges not only stifle local governance but also impede national development. The need for reform has never been more urgent,” he stated.Speaker Abbas stressed that inadequate funding remains one of the most significant obstacles. “Local governments often operate on budgets that are insufficient to meet their responsibilities.“This financial constraint limits their ability to deliver essential services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and sanitation.”As a result, the Speaker said many communities continue to suffer from poor living conditions and lack access to basic amenities.He added: “Moreover, the lack of autonomy is another critical issue facing local governments in Nigeria. The current structure often places local administrations under the control of state governments, which can lead to interference in their operations and decision-making processes. This lack of independence stifles innovation and accountability at the local level.“Additionally, insufficient capacity- both in terms of human resources and institutional frameworks – has hindered effective governance at the local level. Many local government officials lack the necessary training and skills required for efficient administration. This gap not only affects service delivery but also erodes public trust in local governance.”One of the most pressing issues that the House must deal with, Speaker Abbas noted, is the poor quality of elections in local government councils across the States.He said this situation not only undermines the very essence of democracy but also raises serious concerns about the integrity and functionality of the local governance structures.While acknowledging the recent efforts made by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in strengthening the local government system, he noted that the recent Supreme Court judgment mandating the conduct of elections into the councils and direct disbursement of funds to them has provided a significant legal framework that supports the autonomy and functionality of local governments across the country.Noting that investment in capacity building for local government officials is paramount, the Speaker said training programs should be established to equip them with the skills required for effective governance and service delivery.Speaker Abbas also appreciated efforts made so far by the House Committee on Constitution Review with the State Governors and Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly, as the key drivers of the local government system, to ensure compromises and common ground on the subject.“I support this initiative and hope that it will yield the necessary outcomes in the amendments of the necessary provisions of the constitution,” he said.In his address, Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu emphasized the need for a coordinated effort among stakeholders to achieve meaningful reform in Nigeria’s local government system.Kalu who was represented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere noted that local governments play a crucial role in delivering essential services, promoting inclusion, and enhancing democratic participation.He however lamented that the current state of local government councils and areas in Nigeria is less than ideal, with issues such as limited autonomy, constrained financial independence, and weakened administrative capacity hindering their effectiveness.The Deputy Speaker said that the national dialogue offers a platform for stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the issues, align their strategies, and build a coalition to champion the cause of local government reform.The Deputy Speaker also referenced the recent Supreme Court judgment reaffirming the importance of democratic principles in local government administration, which emphasized that local government councils and areas must be democratically elected, and their statutory allocations paid directly to them.