Curbing The Excesses Of Local Govt Chairmen
Local Government System in Nigeria was established in accordance with Sections 7 and 8 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Accordingly, Functions of the Local Government Councils are carefully spelt out in the Fourth Schedule of 1999 Constitution respectively. One of the numerous major reasons for the creation or establishment of the third tier government was to bring government and development closer to the people at the grassroots. Among the main functions of Local Government Councils are “the consideration and the making of recommendation to a state commission on economic planning or any similar body on the economic development of the state particularly in so far as the area of the authority of the council and collection of rates, radio and television license and et al (1999 constitutions: fourth schedule).
Today, chairmen of various local governments’ council drive the council without giving it the constitutional considerations or run the councils to the benefits of the people at the grassroots rather enriching themselves.
In some states, the Local councils are mere figure heads because the states decide what goes on in such councils. In Rivers for instance, Chairmen are toothless dogs, they have no say in whatever they are going through if at all they are in difficulty. Allocation from the Federation’s Account and that of the State Joint account are seen to be excluding the local government’s authorities as they are complaining of poor funding.
Many local council in Rivers State receives huge allocations but without tangible proof of what they do with the funds so accessed from the state and federal Government.
For instance in the Port Harcourt City Local Government (Phalga) the councilors are accusing the chairman of non- performance for three years tenure. The only identified project carried out by Phalga is the major’s lodge on William Jumbo Street and the uncompleted legislative clambers for a period of 3 years
In Andoni the only identified project is the electrification project linking the area to the national grid which competent sources within the council posits cannot be completed before the expiration of this administration. It is the only project for a period of 3 years and according to insider sources the project vote was five hundred million naira (N500, 000, 000.00).
There are many local councils in this category who are wasting the resources meant for development of the rural areas, particularly in Rivers State.
The question is how much has these councils received from the state/federal accounts that the development of rural areas become a no go area for them?
Monies meant for these developments are used by chairmen for their oversea trips which has nothing to do with the Councils.
While some travel on every two months to Philadelphia in the USA, others travel every month and every three months respectively to United Kingdom and South Africa to mention but few, all with the council funds without any input to the council’s development. What a pity state.
Worried over these unholy attitude of those expected to drive development to the grassroots an investigation was conducted and it was discovered that, the chairmen are only errand boys to some of the governors, hence whatever they deem fit is done.
Some are personal or school friends to the governor for instance in Rivers, therefore checking the activities of the chairmen amount to nothing by the governor. Issues Abattoir therefore, implore the federal government and all other relevant agencies to quickly salvage those at the grassroots by intervening in this ugly circumstances against humanity.
The relevant authorities and federal government should conduct a thorough audit exercise of the various Local Councils in the federation to ascertain the level of Performances and monies spent if they are commiserate with records available.
The state is not left out in this as they should check and monitor the unauthorized and unofficial travels of these elected officers at the detriment of the grassroots dwellers.
Now that the tenure of Council Chairmen in Rivers is winding up, a lot of irregularities are taking place and if not checked to curb the untold result, then the worse might happen to the citizenry.
Some of these chairmen are already boasting of returning to office on second term or as caretaker chairmen without harm or obstruction since the governor is on their side.
If governor Amaechi is showcasing his achievements in eight years, what then has these chairmen showcased as their performance?
But what baffles many is the silence of the governor who makes noise all over but could not call his friends, subjects and errand boys to order for practical development of the local areas.
Is the governor unaware of these wastages by the chairmen? Let it be known that if the governor is sincere to track down these chairmen, the state would be second to none in the development history of local councils.
It is also the submission of Issues Abattoir that these crop of chairmen should not be considered for either a second term in office or return as caretaker chairmen in their respective domains, as their return will definitely not tell good of such administration.
Thank you all ###
