From Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas has inaugurated the Local Government Areas Autonomy Advisory Committee to guide government on the implementation of the local government autonomy.
The advisory committee was inaugurated this Monday at the Exco Chamber, Government House, Jalingo.
Governor Agbu Kefas’ action followed the recent Supreme Court of Nigeria Judgment declaring the autonomy of local government areas in the country on the 11th of July, 2024.
Inaugurating the Committee, Dr Agbu Kefas described the formation of the committee as a significant milestone in the journey of the state towards a more democratic, accountable, and efficient governance system in Taraba state.
According to him, the Supreme Court’s recent judgment aligned with his administration’s commitment to centralization and local empowerment and further set a clear path for the full autonomy of local government areas.
The Governor also added that the judgment reaffirmed his earlier decision to conduct local government elections on the 18th of November 2023 and swear in the Chairmen on the 23rd of November 2023, the steps he said were to ensure that local government areas are equipped with the mandate and legitimacy to serve their communities effectively.
Kefas said to ensure the enhanced capacity of the Chairmen, he organized a comprehensive workshop and an induction programme for them, the initiative he said was to provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the myriads of challenges they may face.
Dr Agbu Kefas recalled that on the 26th of April 2024, he communicated to the Bureau For Local Government, Traditional, and Chieftaincy Affairs to allow council Chairmen to take full responsibility for the management of the Joint Account and all administrative affairs.
He noted that the terms of reference of the committee include implementation of oversight functions, capacity building, financial autonomy, administrative reforms, security coordination, community engagements, evaluation and feedback and any other that will be added to them where necessary.
In his response, the chairman of the advisory committee, Rt Hon Abel Peter Diah, the Member Representing Mbamga state constituency and Chairman House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs thanked the Governor for the assignment and extolled him for the step to implement the autonomy.
He added that the financial autonomy of the local government areas has been on the front burner since the emergence of democracy and that the Supreme Court verdict was a victory for democracy and good governance.
