The De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, a socio-cultural organization representing the interests of Lagos State indigenes, has delivered a strong message to the Lagos State House of Assembly regarding the proposed amendments to the Local Government Administration Law.
In a comprehensive letter dated October 22, 2024, addressed to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajaiyi Obasa, the organization outlines 22 critical observations concerning the bill currently under discussion.
The Foundation asserts that true autonomy for Local Governments cannot be realized without the return of their constitutionally mandated revenue sources, which have been appropriated by the state government over the years through various legislative acts since 1999.
They emphasize that the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the binding nature of recent Supreme Court decisions on local government authority must be respected for Local Governments to operate effectively.
During an emergency meeting of its steering committee held on October 18, 2024, the organization called for a thorough review of the Constitution in relation to Local Government responsibilities and revenue generation, highlighting the need to address the historical infringements on their roles by the state government.
The meeting, attended by notable figures, including retired military generals, judges, professors, and experienced professionals, addressed key points in the proposed amendment.
READ ALSO: BLACKOUT: Northern Nigeria faces power crisis with only 160MW allocated to four DISCOS
READ ALSO: Court jails Canadian woman 11 years for drug trafficking in Nigeria
READ ALSO:Tinubu reshuffles cabinet, reassigns 10 ministers, drops five, appoints seven others
Among these points is the controversial reversion from 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) back to a 20-LGA structure, while also introducing new 37 Area Administrative Councils. De Renaissance Patriots expressed strong opposition to the replacement of the previously established LCDAs with these new councils, each to be headed by an Administrative Secretary appointed by the Governor, with confirmation from the Lagos State House of Assembly.
In their detailed letter titled “De Renaissance Patriots: Establishing Rebuttable Presumptions in Local Government Autonomy in Lagos State,” the Foundation conducted an analysis of the proposed bill, in line with the constitutional provisions and recent judicial rulings regarding local government autonomy.
Authored by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Professor Iliyas Adele Jinadu, and supported by a distinguished team including Alternate BOT Chairman Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju and President Mr. Miftah Bolaji Are, the letter articulates the group’s concerns and disagreements with various aspects of the bill.
The letter concluded with a firm stance from the Foundation, asserting that Lagos State Local Governments will only achieve true autonomy once the state legislature enacts laws allowing local governments to collect revenue from their statutory sources, including Tenement Rates, Advertisement Charges, Market Rates, and Motor Park Tolls, which have been taken over by the State government.
The De Renaissance Patriots further emphasized their commitment to examining the legislative integrity of the proposed amendments to ensure efficient service delivery within the local government system, providing extensive observations for consideration by the state assembly.