Stakeholders in local council administration have urged state governments across the country to fully comply with the implementation of financial autonomy and budget processes as specified by the 2024 Supreme Court ruling and relevant laws by sharing their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) with the councils.

In its one-day training on Economic Literacy and Budget Accountability for Local Government Stakeholders organised by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room), Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR); Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE); Civil Society Organisations, and the media in Enugu State, the participants insisted that it was logically and morally wrong for the state governments to manage monthly allocations meant for the 774 councils in the country, but fail to allocate funds realised from their IGR to the various councils.

In their speeches, Executive Director of (CCIDESOR), Dr. Emeka Ononamadu.
and the Convener, Situation Room, Malam Y.Z. Yau stressed that it was inappropriate that there has not been any law on allocation of funds from states’ IGR to the councils.

They also decried lack of due process in budget planning, legislation and execution. They further advocated for the abolition of the Joint Account Committee (JAC) and other practices that inhibit deepening of participatory democracy.

In the resolutions reached at the end of the brainstorming sessions, the participants, represented by Kene Ogbuzuru, for the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room; Dr. Emeka Ononamadu Executive Director, CCIDESOR; Emeka Nwanevu, the President of the NULGE, Enugu State, representing the CSOs; and Ani Samuel Chekwube, representing the Media/Religious Groups, said: “That since there is a federal revenue allocation, there should be a monthly state revenue allocation from the internally generated revenues by each of the 36 states rather than struggle to take over the monthly federal revenue allocation to councils.

“This is because states generate internal revenue from the local governments that make up the state and as such are entitled to it for their development.”

They also resolved: “Citizens must be encouraged to engage in budget formation, monitoring, and evaluation to improve governance outcomes at local councils.

“Open Budget Access – LGA budget copies must be publicly accessible in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (Section 2) which recommends for proactive disclosure of such governance documents.

“Participatory Budgeting – Budgets should be inclusive and responsive to real community needs such as health centres, schools, rural roads, and markets.”