The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member Inter-Ministerial Committee to enforce the recent judgement of the Supreme Court granting financial autonomy to the 774 Local Government Areas.
The landmark judgement of the apex court is aimed at empowering the local governments to operate independently and effectively serve the grassroots without undue interference from the state governments.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who inagurated the committee on Tuesday in Abuja, will serve as the chairman of this committee.
The members of the Inter- Ministerial Committee include the Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Budget & Economic Planning.
Others are; Accountant General of the Federation, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission Representative of State Governors and Representative of Local Governments.
In his remarks, Akume underscored the importance of the committee's mandate, stating that the financial autonomy of local governments is a crucial step towards deepening democracy of the nation and promoting good governance at the grassroots level.
The SGF emphasised that the federal government is committed to ensuring that the judgement is fully implemented, reflecting the administration’s dedication to the principles of justice and federalism.
Senator Akume expressed confidence in the ability of the committee to deliver on its mandate, highlighting the calibre of its members and the strategic importance of their work in advancing Nigeria’s democratic ideals.
The committee is expected to liaise with relevant stakeholders, including state governments, local government councils, and financial institutions, to facilitate the smooth transfer of funds directly to local government accounts.
The committee will also be responsible for monitoring compliance and addressing any challenges that may arise during the implementation process.
Recall that the Supreme Court on July 11, 2024, in a landmark judgement granted financial autonomy to the 774 local governments in the country.
In the unanimous judgment of its seven-member panel read by Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the suit brought by the federal government to strengthen the independence of local governments in the country.
