Taraba leads the way in LG autonomy

While many states across Nigeria continue to grapple with the implementation of local government autonomy, Taraba State, as observed by The Guardian, has begun to set notable examples.

Unlike other states where progress has been slow, Taraba has made significant strides toward granting full autonomy to its 16 local government councils.

This development, as gathered by our reporter monitoring the process, aligns with Governor Agbu Kefas’s vision for a more decentralised and empowered governance structure within the state.

The Guardian’s findings revealed that the state’s commitment to the cause is not just theoretical, as the Advisory Committee on Local Government Autonomy, recently inaugurated by Governor Kefas, has been actively working to ensure the Supreme Court’s ruling on autonomy is smoothly implemented across the state’s local government councils.

At the time of filing this report, their efforts are already beginning to bear fruit, with relevant stakeholders working round the clock to make local government autonomy a reality.

Local government chairmen across the state, who spoke with our correspondent, expressed enthusiasm about the committee’s work. Many stakeholders are optimistic that Taraba will soon fully realise the benefits of local government autonomy.

While applauding the committee and the state governor, the chairmen pledged their support and readiness to collaborate closely with both the committee and the state government to ensure successful implementation.

The Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, Alhaji Aminu Hassan Jauro, noted the state’s proactive approach. He said that “even before the Supreme Court ruling, Governor Kefas had maintained a hands-off approach to local government allocations. The governor has always ensured that funds designated for local governments were not tampered with.”

Jauro’s comments, as observed by The Guardian, contrast with the practices of previous administrations, where local government resources were often misappropriated.

Supporting the ALGON chairman, other council chairmen said that the progress in Taraba serves as a beacon of hope for other states still struggling with local government autonomy.

“The state’s proactive measures and the governor’s commitment to fair governance are setting a standard that others may soon follow,” said the Taraba ALGON boss.

Peter Abel Diah, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Local Government Autonomy, stressed the importance of using autonomy to drive development, improve service delivery, and enhance the well-being of communities across Taraba. He stressed the need for active engagement and collaboration to ensure a smooth transition.

Diah urged council chairmen to “exercise your power judiciously, with transparency and accountability. Work closely with traditional rulers and communities, listen to their concerns, and ensure that resources and decision-making processes align with their needs, aspirations, and priorities.”