LGAs require reform not autonomy — Ahmed

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has advocated a thorough reform of local government administration in the country.

He said this would bring about tangible opportunities for the third tier of government to meet its obligations to the people.

The governor made the call yesterday in Ilorin during the swearingin of the newly appointed Transition Implementation Committee ( TIC) chairmen of local government areas in the state.

Gov. Ahmed said what was required at the local government areas was true reform and not autonomy as being agitated by Nigerians.

Ahmed also argued that the desired autonomy would yield little or no fruits unless the local government system was reformed and strengthened along economic lines.

According to the governor, “Granting autonomy to local governments with highly limited economic potential is more likely to complicate rather than resolve the challenges confronting such local governments.

“What we need is a reform that provides tangible opportunities for local governments to meet salary and project obligations,” he said.

“Our government is determined to bequeath a local government system that is robust, efficient, autonomous and inclusive” the governor explained.