The bills to grant full financial and administrative autonomy to local governments have been passed by the Senate, with 92 out of 109 Senators voted overwhelmingly to pass the Local Government Financial Autonomy Bill.
The Bill seeks alteration of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), to grant financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country.
In the bill, each local government council is to create and maintain its own special account to be called Local Government Allocation Account into which all the allocations will be paid.
The legislations also mandate each state to pay to local government councils in its area of jurisdiction such proportion of its internally generated revenue on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly.
For administrative autonomy, the bill seeks to allow local governments to conduct their own elections.
On Monday, the Nigeria Labour Congress had led a protest to demand autonomy for the local government and the judiciary.
The leadership of the NLC is demanded overwhelming votes from the federal lawmakers, ahead of the clause by clause voting on the ongoing constitution amendment process.
NLC President, Mr. Ayubba Wabba demanded that the lawmakers vote in favour of autonomy for the local government and the judiciary.
The Labour leaders insist that the lack of autonomy for the judicial arm of Government, as well as the local government as the third tier of Government, run contrary to democratic principles.
The lawmakers also voted in favour of financial autonomy for State Houses of Assembly and judiciary.
During the voting process, the Senate witnessed over 73 votes – the threshold required for such bills to pass.
