News Investigators/ The House of Representatives has pledged to strengthen the capacity of Local Government Councils to enact effective by-laws for grassroots development.
The Chairman, House Committee on Delegated Legislation, Rep. Richard Bamisile, made the commitment at the opening of a national retreat targeted at building legislative capacity of the Local Governments in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the theme of the retreat was “Enhancing Legislative Capacity of Local Government Councils and the Review of the Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula.”
The workshop was organised in collaboration with Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and an NGO, Bagama and Networks Ltd.
Bamisile said that the retreat was designed to improve the by-law-making process at the local government level, saying that effective legislation must reflect the realities and aspirations of the people.
“To succeed in legislating effectively at the grassroots level, we must work together in unison, leveraging our collective strengths and resources.
“As we embark on this retreat, our first focus will be on the by-law-making process. We will delve into strategies that empower our local governments to create impactful by-laws that cater for the unique needs of their communities.
“This is pivotal not only for enhancing local governance but also for fostering accountability and enriching the lives of the citizens we serve,” he said.
Bamisile said that the retreat was also to gain from the experience of ALGON in the review of the Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
He said that the experiences and perspectives of ALGON would greatly influence parliamentary approaches to ensuring that, resources were allocated fairly and effectively, thereby strengthening collective capacity to serve the Nigerian populace.
“Your participation, views and experiences are essential to the success of this retreat. We encourage you to engage actively in discussions and share your insights.
“Together, we can forge a path toward more responsive, responsible and participatory governance that truly reflects the will of the people.
“Let us remember that the strength of our democracy lies not only in our institutions but in our ability to listen, collaborate and act in the best interests of our communities.
“As we begin this critical journey, let us do so with a commitment to excellence, integrity and progress,” he said.
In his remarks the President of ALGON, Mr Bello Lawal said that the retreat provided a rare opportunity to ensure that Local Governments, being the closest tier to the people, have a direct and impactful voice in the national fiscal architecture.
He said that ALGON would not relent until the local governments were fairly empowered with the resources needed to meet the expectations of the people in line with the provisions of the constitution.
“I am convinced that the outcomes of this retreat will strengthen inter-governmental relations, deepen legislative harmony and expand the fiscal space for grassroots governance.
“Together, we shall move closer to the Nigeria of our dreams where every community enjoys basic services, every child has access to quality education, healthcare and food security chain.
“Today we begin not just a retreat, but a renewal of our commitment to service at the grassroots. I urge every participant to approach the sessions with open mind, bold ideas and a sense of responsibility to our people.
“Together, let us strengthen the foundation of governance in Nigeria,” he said.
NAN
