NAN-H-81
Assurance
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, Sept. 26, 2017 (NAN) Mr Michael Adeyemo, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, has assured the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the state of the commitment of the lawmakers to supporting its demand for autonomy.
Adeyemo gave the assurance on Tuesday in Ibadan when the union staged a peaceful protest to the Assembly over its demand for local government autonomy.
He said the Conference of Speakers forum held in Yola recently agreed that autonomy should be given to the local governments while a report on this agreement and other issues would be made available to each state.
“ As soon as Oyo State House of Assembly receives the report, a technical committee would be set up and a referendum will be conducted on the matter.
“ Oyo State of House Assembly supports local government autonomy and I assure you the referendum would be conducted transparently.
“ We are your representatives and we would do want you want,’’ Adeyemo said.
Earlier, Mr Bayo Titilola-Sodo, the President NULGE in the state, said that the union was demanding the abolition of State and Local Government Joint Account, saying it was a means to embezzle local council funds.
Titilola-Sodo said autonomy would boost economic and social development at the grassroots.
He further said that the union was demanding the abolition of State Independent Electoral Commission and the transfer of that role to INEC.
“ We want election to be conducted into local governments and the appointment of caretaker committees be stopped.
“We demand political, financial and administrative autonomy of LGAs,’’ Titi-Sodo said.
Also speaking, Mr Akeem Ambali , the National Treasurer of NULGE, said granting autonomy to local governments would eradicate poverty at the grassroots.
Mr Kofo Ogundeji, the Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Oyo State, said local governments were being stifled through the operation of the state and local government joint account. (NAN)
SYS/OJO
=======
(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)