Supreme Court has declared that it is unconstitutional for State Governors to hold on to funds meant for Local Government Administrations in the country.
The Apex Court, in its lead judgment today, read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, observed that the refusal of the State Government on Financial Autonomy for Local Governments has gone on for over two decades.
Justice Agim said Local Governments have since stopped receiving the money meant for them from the State Governors who act in their stead.
The Supreme Court noted that the 774 Local Government Councils in the Country should manage their funds themselves and dismissed the preliminary objections of the State Governors.
In her reaction to the ruling, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Comrade Anestina Igwe expressed delight over the supreme court judgment affirming local government autonomy in the country.
The NULGE Chairperson, Comrade Igwe, who spoke with Passion 94.5 FM Correspondent, David Isong, said the judgment will enhance the operational efficiency and financial independence of local government councils as well as crucial for the effective delivery of services and the implementation of development projects at the local level.
She expressed optimism that this development would lead to improved infrastructure, social services, and overall quality of life for residents in local government areas across Akwa Ibom State and the entire country.
